June 17, 2009
STS-127 Postponed to July
Another hydrogen leak caused NASA to scrub the launch of Endeavour until July 11.
So the STS-127 crew will be returning to Houston to continue training and Koichi Wakata will have another month to enjoy the view from orbit and wait for his ride home.
If the folks gathered to watch the shuttle launch stick around a few days, they will hopefully get to see an Atlas 5 send LRO on its way to the Moon--assuming the weather cooperates.
Going to space is never easy, but it is definitely worth the effort!
Marianne Dyson
NSS Advisor
Posted by m_dyson at 02:11 AM
June 15, 2009
Shuttle Attempt Wed-LRO Delayed
Shuttle managers bumped LRO from its launch slot on Wednesday to give the Shuttle Endeavour another opportunity to launch after Saturday's scrub.
If the Shuttle launch proceeds, it will be at 5:40 a.m. EDT, June 17. There is another opportunity on Thursday if weather is a problem--and is possible until June 20--but that would push LRO beyond its window (which is tied to the lunar cycle and closes on June 20) and into July. If the Shuttle does not launch this week, the next chance will be July 11 because of thermal constraints on the space station.
LRO managers are looking at ways to shorten the turnaround time so that if Endeavour does launch on Wednesday morning, they can launch on Thursday at 5:12 p.m. But usually, it takes two days for the Air Force to reconfigure the tracking and telemetry support--so the nominal plan puts the LRO launch on Friday at 6:41 p.m.
STS-127's primary objective is to deliver and install the Japanese module's "back porch," replace some batteries, and exchange Koichi Wakata with Timothy Kopra. While docked, with a crew of 6 on the station and 7 on the Shuttle, there will be 13 people in space.
LRO will map the resources of the Moon in new detail from just 31 miles altitude.
To the stars,
Marianne Dyson
NSS advisor, Space Books Committee Chairman
www.nss.org/books
Posted by m_dyson at 02:34 PM
June 13, 2009
Shuttle Delayed-LRO Still Go
The Space Shuttle Endeavour launch was scrubbed because of a hydrogen leak. It takes time to turnaround the shuttle, and the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter (LRO) is scheduled for launch Wednesday June 17. It also takes time to turnaround the range after the launch on Wednesday, so the earliest next attempt will be before dawn next Saturday, June 20.
Unfortunately, if weather or another problem scrubs that attempt, the launch will slip until July 11 because of temperature constraints during docked operations at the space station.
The LRO has a window every two weeks, but slipping it would cause a backlog of other satellites waiting to launch. The LRO launch, on an Atlas 5, is scheduled for 3:51 p.m. EDT.
Maybe it is time to get other launch sites up and running!
While you're waiting for launch, why not catch up on your summer reading? Find some great new titles via the NSS Reading Space: www.nss.org/books.
To the stars,
Marianne Dyson
NSS Advisor
Posted by m_dyson at 01:51 PM
June 03, 2009
Next Launch June 13
NASA announced that the Space Shuttle Endeavour is on track to launch on Saturday, June 13 at 7:17 a.m. Eastern time. The orbiter was moved from pad 39B where it was on tap to support a Hubble rescue, to 39A. 39B is being readied for the Ares I flight test later this summer.
STS-127's main objectives are to install the "porch" on the Japanese Kibo module, swap out batteries, and deliver spare parts. The commander is Mark Polansky, pilot Douglas Hurley, and mission specialists are Julie Payette, David Wolf, Christopher Cassidy, Thomas Marshburn and space station flight engineer Timothy Kopra--who will replace Koichi Wakata.
The launch window is only 3 days long because of the scheduled launch on June 17 of the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter (LRO). Additional opportunities exist on June 19 and 20, but then the window closes until July 11 because of temperature constraints.
The flight is planned to be 16 days long and include 5 space walks.
Let's hope for some clear skies for June 13!
Marianne Dyson
NSS Advisor
Posted by m_dyson at 11:51 PM
May 21, 2009
Obama Praises Exploration
President Obama called the astronauts on STS-125 today (5-20-09) to congratulate them on restoring and upgrading the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
"Like a lot of Americans, I've been watching with amazement the gorgeous images you've been sending back and the incredible repair mission you've been making in space," the president said. "I think you're providing a wonderful example of the kind of dedication and commitment to exploration that represents America and the space program generally. These are traits that have always made this country strong and all of you personify them."
Obama also noted that the spacewalks "excited my 10-year-old and my 7-year-old." He added, "By allowing Hubble to continue on its journey, you've really allowed all of us to continue on our journey of growth and exploration. You know, here in Washington, there's a lot of talk about clarifying our focus, our vision for where the country needs to go. And I really think that what you guys represent is an example of what 'vision' means."
When I heard this, my response was, "Roger that!" (and maybe a little bit of yeehaw :)
There are lots of excellent summaries online about what the Hubble crew accomplished technically, all of it fantastic stuff--but the lasting impact of this mission is not only the newly-expanded spectral "vision," but the vision of exploration that President Obama aptly recognizes is the key to inspiring this nation to achieve great things.
Now is a perfect time to remind people everywhere of the National Space Society's vision: "People living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth, and the use of the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity."
The Hubble crew showed yet again that humans can indeed work in space and take advantage of its resources. One space resource is its lack of air--the vacuum of space provides a crystal clear, cloud-free view for Hubble, and other space telescopes, to capture of the wonders of the heavens.
HST can now see farther into space and across a wider spectrum than ever before. Soon we may image new worlds for us to probe, and one day, explore.
So thank you to the STS-125 crew for reigniting the fire of exploration. And thank you to President Obama for recognizing the importance of our space program to the future growth of the United States!
NSS members and friends in Houston can welcome the crew home at 4 p.m. (gate opens at 3:30 Central time)) at Ellington Field the day after landing. If landing is Friday, the welcome home will be on Saturday. Maybe I'll see some of you there--if not, at ISDC next week in Florida!
To the stars,
Marianne Dyson
NSS Advisor
Posted by m_dyson at 01:18 AM
May 11, 2009
Endeavour Standing By
As I noted last September, this shuttle mission is considered the most dangerous to date. The chance of impact from orbital debris was then estimated at 1 in 185 for the 350-mile altitude orbit. Since September, the debris danger has been somewhat reduced to 1 in 229 compared to 1 in 330 for the 200-mile-high space station orbit.
But foam falling during launch remains the primary danger. Damage to the wings from foam falling off the external fuel tank caused the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. Though new processing methods limit the amount of debris hits during launch, the risk remains at about 1 in 80. Shuttle Program Manager John Shannon told reporters last fall that historically, the risk of a catastrophic failure is closer to 1 in 60.
If an orbital inspection (to be performed on the day after launch) reveals damage to critical areas on Atlantis, the space station is not available as a safe haven. Some students asked me why they can’t just descend to the station’s altitude. The problem is that the station is at a different inclination (angle) to the Earth’s equator than Hubble. It is as if Hubble is going around on the outer lane of a racetrack, and the station is on an inner lane that goes above and then below the Hubble track. To “cross over” from one to the other requires a tremendous amount of energy—more than the space shuttle has available.
Therefore, if damage is found, the Atlantis crew will power down the vehicle and wait for the Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-400), to launch and provide a ride home. Endeavour is waiting on launch pad 39B, but it would not launch from there. That launch pad is already being converted for use by the new Ares booster. So if Endeavor is needed, it will be moved and then launched from 39A as soon as May 18 (if Atlantis launches May 11).
The STS-400 crew will be commanded by Chris Ferguson and include pilot Eric Boe and mission specialists Shane Kimbrough and Steve Bowen. The two shuttles would then perform an unprecedented rendezvous in space. Endeavour would approach to within (robotic) arn’s reach of Atlantis, grapple it, and hang on with the two payload bays facing each other. Two days of dramatic spacewalks would get everyone transferred across. A good summary of the mission by Chris Gebhardt.
However, the Hubble repair mission with its five choreographed spacewalks is plenty dramatic without a rescue. So fingers are crossed and prayers offered that STS-400 will be unnecessary.
Remember launch is scheduled for 2:01 Eastern/1:01 Central. The next day will be inspection, and if they are given the all clear, Hubble capture is anticipated on Wednesday just before noon Eastern time.
You can watch the press conferences on NASA TV, or "tune in" to online coverage. Fellow fans of Miles O’Brien, formerly of CNN; Marc Carreau, formerly of the Houston Chronicle; and Craig Covault, formerly of Aviation Week, will be happy to know that all three will be covering the flight for Spaceflight Now in an interactive format. You can follow them on Twitter—and don’t forget to follow NSS on Twitter, too!
To the stars,
Marianne Dyson
NSS Advisor
Former NASA Flight Controller;
www.mdyson.com
Posted by m_dyson at 12:18 AM
May 04, 2009
Hugging Hubble
My favorite quote from the STS-125 crew press conference on April 23 was John Grunsfeld saying, “Hubble needs a hug, and we’re ready to go.”
This crew is more than ready for launch, hopefully Monday, May 11. Commander Scott “Scooter” Altman joked that he hoped the April 23 press conference was the last one prior to the flight, and admitted, “The slip was hard to take at first.” The flight has been delayed and delayed again, most recently after a key computer failed just weeks from launch last October. But after a brief rest, the crew dove right back into training. “But it is good to be here now,” Altman said with a broad smile. “We are ready. We are trained.”
The number of spacewalks was already maxed out at five, so to add in the computer task on the first extravehicular activity (EVA), the team had to shoehorn a two-day task (the repair of the Advanced Camera for Surveys in EVA 3) into one. Grunsfeld alluded to there being a betting pool at Johnson Space Center on whether or not they will get it all done. But he said he is “highly confident that we’ll finish [the Advanced Camera repair] in one day.” I would put my money on this team!
Besides Commander Altman and lead spacewalker Grunsfeld, the crew includes veteran spacewalker Mike “Mass” Massimono, and four rookies: Pilot Greg “Ray J” Johnson; flight engineer and arm operator Megan McArthur; and spacewalkers Andrew “Drew” Feustel and Michael “Bueno” Good.
For launch, McArthur will sit behind Altman, and Good will sit behind Johnson. Grunsfeld, Massimino, and Feustel will ride up on the middeck, with Grunsfeld having the seat closest to the hatch.
To watch the launch and spacewalks, tune in via the NASA cable channel or NASA TV online. All spacewalks start around 7 a.m. Eastern time, last about 6 and a half hours, and end by 2 p.m.
STS-125 Summary Timeline
Monday 05/11: launch, 2:01 p.m. Eastern time
Tuesday: tile inspection
Wednesday: Hubble capture (just before noon)
Thursday: EVA-1 (Grunsfeld/Feustel): Wide Field Camera 3; Science Instrument computer; new grapple fixture
Friday: EVA-2 (Massimino/Good): gyros; batteries
Saturday: EVA-3 (Grunsfeld/Feustel): Cosmic Origins Spectrograph; Advanced Camera for Surveys repair (was 2 EVAs in original plan)
Sunday: EVA-4 (Massimino/Good): Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph repair; new insulation (begins around 7 a.m.)
Monday: EVA-5 (Grunsfeld/Feustel): more batteries; fine guidance sensor replacement (lowest priority, deleted if necessary); more insulation
Tuesday: Hubble release (around 7:30 a.m.)
Wednesday: crew news conference (around 9:15 a.m.)
Thursday: entry prep
Friday 5/22: landing, 11:41 a.m. Eastern time
For more details about launch and flight operations, I highly recommend Bill Harwood’s blog.
To the stars,
Marianne Dyson
Member NSS Board of Advisors
www.mdyson.com
Posted by m_dyson at 03:17 PM
