Tag: STS-132
-
STS-132 begins countdown – Exceptional STS-131 SRB/RSRM performance
As the countdown begins for STS-132, mission managers are continuing to review the status of Atlantis’ hardware, using the baseline of the Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs). In particular, certification of the STS-132 SRBs and RSRMs for flight was aided by the clean performance of both SRBs/RSRMs on STS-131 – with only one SRB IFA (In-Flight…
-
Atlantis into pressurization tasks – numerous SSME items discussed at FRR
Engineers are heading into a weekend of critical operations for STS-132, as Atlantis undergoes flight pressurization operations on the systems that will aid her journey to the International Space Station (ISS) in a week’s time. Wednesday’s Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR) focused on one of those systems – the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) –…
-
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,…
-
STS-132 heads into Agency FRR – Ku-band root cause found
NASA and contractor managers will set STS-132’s launch date during the Agency level Flight Readiness Review (FRR) on Wednesday. No major issues have been noted, while Atlantis continues to behave on Pad 39A, raising the likelihood May 14 will be set as the launch date. Meanwhile, engineers have pinpointed the cause of Discovery’s Ku-band system…
-
STS-132: Engineers successfully resolve hypergolic loading issues
Pad operations continue to track a tight timeline ahead of the targeted May 14 launch, as engineers successfully worked through a number of Interim Problem Reports (IPRs) associated with the ongoing hypergolic loading operations on Atlantis’ stack. All eyes are now on next week’s Agency-level Flight Readiness Review (FRR), which will set the official launch…
-
STS-132: Managers work through SSP FRR – Will slip launch date if required
Atlantis’ STS-132 launch remains on target for May 14, although managers have noted they will slip to a later date if more time is needed – with just one day of contingency in the flow. Those shuttle managers began their Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Flight Readiness Review (FRR) on Wednesday, which included aligning STS-133 as…
-
Mission Operations Directorate FRR Presents STS-132/ULF-4 Special Topics
With less than three weeks to go before the launch of the STS-132 mission, Space Shuttle Program (SSP) managers are gearing up for the second of three Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs) this week – the SSP FRR. Meanwhile, the MOD has already completed their FRR, presenting special topics for Ascent/Entry and New ISS and Shuttle…
-
Shuttle schedule extended due to STS-134 slip to at least November
The delivery of the AMS-02 (Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02) payload to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has been heavily delayed due to a changeout of its troublesome cooling system, resulting in a realignment of the shuttle manifest. Managers have decided that STS-132 can continue to track for May 14, with STS-133 following in September, while STS-134…
-
NASA Reviews Readiness and Potential Timelines for Atlantis’ Final Mission
Preparations are in full swing for next month’s scheduled launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-132/ULF-4 mission to deliver the Russian MRM-1 (Mini-Russian Research Module -1) payload – and six external payloads/batteries via the ICC-VLD (Integrated Cargo Carrier – Vertical Light Deployable) – to the International Space Station (ISS), as the mission heads into…
-
NASA Reviews Readiness and Potential Timelines for Atlantis’ Final Mission
Preparations are in full swing for next month’s scheduled launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-132/ULF-4 mission to deliver the Russian MRM-1 (Mini-Russian Research Module -1) payload – and six external payloads/batteries via the ICC-VLD (Integrated Cargo Carrier – Vertical Light Deployable) – to the International Space Station (ISS), as the mission heads into…