Tag: STS-133
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STS-133: ET-137 ahead on repairs as Cain dismisses schedule pressure claims
With the focus firmly placed on the repairs, inspections and required flight rationale for the LOX/Intertank flange stringers, hopes have being raised of a positive outcome by the end of the coming week. However, deputy Space Shuttle Program (SSP) LeRoy Cain dismissed internal rumors of schedule pressure to avoid a slip to next year, by noting…
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Shuttle Program Updates Discovery’s December Launch Opportunities
As work continues on Discovery’s External Tank’s (ET) Intertank stringers, Space Shuttle Program (SSP) managers are refining Discovery’s (STS-133’s) December launch opportunities – which include the extension of the primary and thus far only confirmed launch window and the potential of both a mid- and late-December launch window should the International Space Station Program choose…
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STS-133: Managers discussing numerous options – NET slips to December 3
With numerous repair operations ongoing with Discovery’s External Tank (ET-137), managers are creating a number of options to provide some additional flexibility in launching STS-133. As part of the evaluations, the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) have requested input from the International Space Station (ISS) on the option of a launch window which opens on December…
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STS-133: More cracks found on ET-137 as managers debate forward plan
Two more cracks has been found on a stringer adjacent to the two original cracks on Discovery’s External Tank (ET-137). The latest crack was found on the far left of removed Thermal Protection System (TPS) foam on the flange area between the Intertank and the LOX tank, but appears to have suffered less stress than…
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STS-133: Closing in on GUCP root cause – ET repair at pad still positive
Concentricity measurements on the removed flight seal on the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) have found at least one of the potential root causes for last Friday’s leak, with a forward plan to install a replacement carrier plate and seal ahead of a potential Tanking Test. Plans are also being worked to install a doubler…
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STS-133: Structural defect/cracks found under foam damage on ET-137
While troubleshooting on the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) saw the flight seal removed on Wednesday, engineers have been removing the cracked foam from Discovery’s damaged Thermal Protection System (TPS) area on the flange between the intertank and LOX tank. Two cracks has been found on the structural stringer, which is undergoing an immediate investigation. STS-133 Latest:…
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STS-133: Plan under development to repair ET-137 foam cracks at the pad
As access platforms are set up for engineers to begin the removal of the hardware associated with the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP), a large effort to build a repair plan – one which can be conducted at Pad 39A – is being developed for the large crack (and several other smaller cracks) that were found on Discovery’s…
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STS-133 GUCP root cause to benefit from STS-119/127 investigation
As engineers prepare to take a close look at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) at the center of STS-133’s scrub on Friday, a pool of knowledge will be fully utilized in the drive towards finding a root cause. That knowledge comes via a large amount of documentation gained through testing and troubleshooting, after the…
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STS-133 SCRUB: Discovery’s tanking suffers GUCP leak
Discovery was making her first real attempt to launch on Friday, as the loading of her External Tank (ET-137) picked up following approval by the Mission Management Team (MMT). Tanking had been nominal until a leak was detected on the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) – causing managers to carry out testing prior to detanking…
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STS-133: Discovery delayed ahead of tanking for 24 hours
The Mission Management Team (MMT) have concluded their evalations on Thursday morning by deciding to delay for 24 hours, due to unacceptable weather conditions. The decision came just prior to coming out of the hold for the loading of Discovery’s External Tank (ET-137). STS-133 Launch Attempt 1 Scrub: With the flight rationale now in place for the issues suffered by…