[Space] NASA - STS-118 - ISS-13A.1 (Endeavour)

[GioFX]

NASA STS-118 - International Space Station Assembly Mission 13A.1



STS Program Mission: STS-118 (119th flight, 20th OV-105 flight)

ISS Program Assembly Flight: 13A.1

Orbiter: Endeavour (OV-105)

Launch Pad: 39A

Mission duration: 10 days 20h 40m

Landing site: KSC

Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles


Primary payload:

• S5 Truss

Crew:

• Commander Scott J. Kelly
• Pilot Charles O. Hobaugh
• Mission specialist 1 Tracy Caldwell
• Mission specialist 2 Richard Mastracchio
• Mission specialist 3 Dafydd Williams
• Mission specialist 4 Barbara Morgan
• Mission specialist 5 B. Alvin Drew

Assembly Mission 13A.1:




STS-118 Press Kit:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/182728main_S..._Press_Kit.pdf

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Live Coverage:

NASA TV - Real Media: http://www.nasa.gov/ram/35037main_portal.ram

NASA TV - Windows Media: http://www.nasa.gov/55644main_NASATV_Windows.asx

NASA TV - Real Audio: http://www.nasa.gov/ram/55643main_NASATV_Audio_Only.ram

[GioFX]

STS-118 Quick-Look Mission Facts and Figures

[GioFX]

Da Spaceflightnow.com:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttl...070711rollout/

Overhauled Endeavour on the pad again after five years

BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: July 11, 2007


http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts118/070711rollout/endeavour.jpg


Traveling at less than a mile per hour in the dark of night, space shuttle Endeavour journeyed to the launch pad this morning fresh from a major tune-up for its first flight in nearly five years.

Bolted to a giant external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters atop a mobile launching platform, Endeavour embarked on the three-and-a-half-mile trip from the Vehicle Assembly Building to pad 39A at 8:10 p.m. EDT.

An Apollo-era transporter hauled the shuttle stack along the rock-covered crawlerway leading to the oceanfront launch complex at barely a walking pace. Powerful hydraulics jacked up the platform, keeping it level as the crawler ascended the pad's concrete incline just after 1 a.m.

A laser alignment system helped technicians precisely position the platform, then the crawler lowered it onto the pad's pedestals to complete Endeavour's rollout at 3:02 a.m.

The trip was supposed to start just after midnight Tuesday morning. But delays getting ready to start the move, coupled with the possibility of bad weather threatening the shuttle before it could safely reach the pad, prompted officials to cancel their opportunity to start the move overnight and instead retarget for Tuesday evening.

"We had hoped to rollout this morning but we didn't get everything done before the end of the window," Kim Doering, deputy shuttle program manager, said Tuesday. "And we were expecting potentially some lightning at the Kennedy Space Center...We can't roll out if there's lightning."

The day's delay will be absorbed by the slack time available in the month-long preflight campaign and won't impact Endeavour's launch plans. Liftoff remains set for around 7:02 p.m. EDT on August 7 with a crew of seven astronauts and a payload bay filled with hardware and supplies for the International Space Station.

"The mission has lots of angles," said Matt Abbott, the lead shuttle flight director. "There's a little bit of assembly; there's some resupply; there's some repairs. And there are some high-visibility education and public affairs events. It's a little bit of everything."

Led by commander Scott Kelly, the crew includes pilot Charlie Hobaugh, mission specialists Tracy Caldwell, Al Drew, Rick Mastracchio, Dave Williams and educator-astronaut Barbara Morgan. A former Idaho school teacher, Morgan was Christa McAuliffe's backup in the original "teacher-in-space" program.

"I'm excited about experiencing the whole spaceflight, seeing Earth from space for the very first time and experiencing weightlessness and what that's all about," Morgan said. "I am excited about seeing what it's like living and working onboard the International Space Station."

Endeavour will bring up the small Starboard 5 truss spacer to continue expanding the station's framework, plus install an external stowage deck for replacement equipment. The shuttle's robotic arm will be used to unberth the structures from Endeavour and then the station arm will mount them on the orbiting outpost.

In addition, a Spacehab module riding in Endeavour's payload bay is packed with a couple tons of gear and supplies that the astronauts will carry through the hatchway and deliver to the station.

"I think right now the manifest has us bringing up about 5,000 pounds and then bringing down about 5,000 pounds," Kelly said. "So it's a lot of spare parts, food, clothing, scientific experiments. We'll unload that and then reload (Spacehab) with stuff that needs to come home -- garbage, spare parts that are no longer needed on the station."

The cargo pieces were transported to the pad Sunday and hoisted into the rotating service gantry's cleanroom. That structure will enclose Endeavour during the shuttle's stay on the pad, allowing the payload bay doors to be opened and the Spacehab, truss and stowage deck to be installed into the orbiter for launch.

The astronauts fly to Kennedy Space Center from Houston next week for launch pad emergency training drills and a countdown dress rehearsal. They'll suit up and board Endeavour for the final three hours of launch day simulation next Thursday morning.

The upcoming mission will be the first time Endeavour has flown in space since late 2002, just two months before the Columbia tragedy. While sisterships Discovery and Atlantis made the five post-Columbia flights so far, Endeavour was inside its space-age garage undergoing a tune-up and being outfitted with some new enhancements.

"We have made good use of that time. The Endeavour vehicle went through an orbiter major modification program. We do that every couple of years with the orbiters. It is similar to what an aircraft would go through," Doering said.

"We inspect the structure to make sure there is no corrosion, we check all of the wiring, we replace things like filters and seals - the soft goods as we call them.

"We also inspected all 1,900 (thermal) blankets on the orbiter. We replaced over 2,500 tiles. We do that periodically to get everything back to spec. Sometimes we have some minor damage that is fine to fly with but whenever we take the orbiter in for one of these major modifications we like to fix everything that we can.

"We also replaced two of the windows with some thicker panes. That is one of our return to flight modifications that improves safety. And we were able to install 68 of the (new stronger) tiles. We like to put those in some of the locations that tend to get more dings than other areas of the orbiter.

"We also made several first flight modifications to this vehicle that we're excited about. We're going to be flying a three-string Global Positioning System for the first time. We've typically used a TACAN, tactical navigation system, to give our position during entry and landing. But we're going to be moving to the Global Positioning System on this flight. We did fly one-string previously and it worked great. So we're excited about that improvement.

"Another big thing is we will be flying for the first time a space station-to-shuttle power transfer system....We'll be able to augment the shuttle's fuel cells to produce power for shuttle with station power from the big solar arrays. If that system works out the way we plan, it'll allow us to extend the mission by three days. We'll be able to be docked to the station longer and continue to work with the station crew performing critical assembly tasks.

"We also made an upgrade on this vehicle to our wing leading edge impact detection system. Those are a series of sensors that can detect ascent or micrometeroid debris (impacts) on the reinforced carbon-carbon panels. One of the challenges we have had is the batteries don't perform very well at cold temperatures. We've added a voltage booster to this flight so that that wing leading edge system will be able to operate better at cold temperatures."

Endeavour's flight will last either 11 or 14 days, depending on the performance of the station power transfer system. An early afternoon landing back at the Kennedy Space Center is planned.

Doering said the shuttle team is ready to fly Endeavour's mission despite the brief amount of time since Atlantis returned from the station just a few weeks ago. And both Discovery and Atlantis are being prepped for launches in October and December, respectively, to attach new modules to the station.

"The team has demonstrated that they can turn these vehicles around quickly. If you look at the rest of the assembly sequence between now and 2010, this is about the pace we will be on. We'll roughly be flying every other month."

Altre foto del Rollout:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttl...711rolloutpix/

[GioFX]

L'Endeavour finalmente sul pad dopo quasi 5 anni...

[Marilson]

spero abbiano fatto almeno il tagliando

[Octane]

Originariamente inviato da Marilson

spero abbiano fatto almeno il tagliando

miii se lo son tenuto in officina 5 anni


Ad ogni modo che modifiche hanno fatto al sistema di navigazione?
A quanto si evince ora e' basato su tecnologia GPS, ma prima?

[Marilson]

magari hanno sostituito il cockpit, ma già 5 anni fa l'endevour non doveva essere dotato di glass cockpit?
bah.. magari ci hanno installato un bel garmin 1000

[GioFX]

Originariamente inviato da Octane

Ad ogni modo che modifiche hanno fatto al sistema di navigazione?
A quanto si evince ora e' basato su tecnologia GPS, ma prima?

Prima gli orbiter utilizzavano il sistema di navigazione TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation System) un sistema ad uso esclusivamente militare che utilizza segnali triangolati da stazioni a terra.

Durante gli ultimi programmi di modifica estensiva e ricertificazione (nell'ordine Atlantis, Discovery e per ultimo Endeavour - non ricordo se il Columbia fu mai upgradato) il sistema è stato sostituito con il Navstar GPS.

[GioFX]

Originariamente inviato da Marilson

magari hanno sostituito il cockpit, ma già 5 anni fa l'endevour non doveva essere dotato di glass cockpit?
bah.. magari ci hanno installato un bel garmin 1000

L'Endeavour era l'ultimo orbiter ad utilizzare ancora i vecchi indicatori eletromeccanici (tranne alcuni strumenti avanzati già installati al momento della costruzione, rispetto agli altri orbiter), mentre per gli altri il cockpit tradizionale è stato sostituito dalla versione elettronica nel corso del primo programma estensivo di modifica e certificazione (MMOP), nell'ordine Columbia, Atlantis, Discovery.

Le principali modifiche apportate all'Endeavour, a parte quelle solite come la sostituzione di parti consumate o di parte del rivestimento termico, ecc, sono quindi state:

- Installazione del sistema SSPTS (Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System) in grado di trasferire energia elettrica con una potenza massima di 8 kw convertendo da 120V CC a 28V CC, permettendo all'orbiter di rimanere attraccato alla stazione per ulteriori 3 o 4 giorni al massimo.

- Installazione del "glass cockpit" con 11 monitor LCD in sostituzione dei vecchi elettromeccanici, e nuovo sistema di navigazione GPS in complemento al TACAN.

- Installazione dell'OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System), sistema a scansione laser per il controllo del rivestimento termico dell'orbiter installato su un Canadarm che si affianca a quello utilizzato per muovere i carichi "payload" dalla stiva alla stazione.

[Ukronia]

Iscritto al 3d

Ciao

[Octane]

Qualche aggiornamento sui preparativi per il lancio:

da NasaSpaceFlight.com:

FRR going well - expected to green light Endeavour's STS-118
By Chris Bergin, 7/25/2007 3:14:49 PM

FRR going well - expected to green light Endeavour's STS-118 NASA managers have concluded the first of two days of the Flight Readiness Review (FRR), with nearly all outstanding troubleshooting completed. Endeavour is expected to be given the green light for an August 7 launch attempt.
A late issue with Endeavour's LH2 recirculation pump inside the Main Propulsion System (MPS) - which might of required replacing - has been cleared for flight, as STS-118 proceeds on track with the pad processing flow.

Endeavour is being prepared for launch at Pad 39A, with hypergolic fuel loading making up most of the first part of this week. A couple of leaks with the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) have also been going through troubleshooting.

'Wednesday and Thursday of this week is the Level 1 FRR at KSC (Kennedy Space Center),' noted Flight Director level NASA information.
'In addition to reviewing the STS-117 in-flight anomalies, the topics that are expected to be discussed are the investigation of the STS-115 fuel cell coolant pump motor phase A failure, APU2 isol valve power A failure, and ET-120 loading sensors.
'This is also the first flight of the active vibration redline for the Advanced Health Monitoring System (AHMS), the MPS ECO voltage monitoring system, Station to Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) and 3-string GPS.'
'With a successful ISS reboost on 7/23, STS-118 will have consecutive FD3 launch opportunities from August 7-22.'

Endeavour's MPS LH2 recirculation pump became one of the main topics in the pre-FRR, due to potential contamination, which led to an inspection being carried out. If contamination was found, the pump may have required replacement.
'It was decided late last week to inspect OV-105's MPS LH2 recirc pump impeller nuts for silver sulfide contamination,' added the information.
''This is being done to eliminate the uncertainty surrounding 105's engines and whether the contamination found on a spare recirc pump is unique or generic in nature. If silver sulfide crystals are found on one or more nuts, the question of whether or not to R&R the OV-105 recirc pump package will be reviewed.'

However, just ahead of the FRR, and confirmed within the meeting, the pump was cleared for flight.

'Payload bay doors closed and will open again after hyper loading this week. LH2 recirculation pump inspection completed, with no issues on nuts; will do foam closeout on area after S0024 later this week,' added processing information, which also noted a couple of additional lightning strikes at the pad.
'Had lightning strikes Friday night at pad. One strike hit mast and another was within 0.3 nm. This is under review process and will go to (Engineering Board) this week.'
The issue - which gained a large amount of media attention last week - with the booster O-ring seals, was - as expected, passed via evaluations.
'Completed validation testing of large O-ring on weekend with data as expected,' noted integration report information pre-FRR. 'Looks good for next couple of launches.'

A vast amount of data is being evaluated ahead of the official confirmation of the launch date, with Thursday's meeting rounding up any outstanding issues, including LON (Launch On Need).
Currently, the LON vehicle - Discovery - is in a smooth processing flow, with only the sensor issue on the External Tank (ET-120) being the 'fluid' situation.

Anything left outstanding from the meeting will move to the L-2 Day MMT (Mission Management Team) meeting for discussion.

link alla pagina originale:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5175



da Nasa.gov:

Flight Readiness Review Gets Under Way


Image above: STS-118 crew members get a close look at the payloads installed in Space Shuttle Endeavour. Seen in the foreground are Mission Specialists Dave Williams (center), who represents the Canadian Space Agency, and Tracy Caldwell (right). Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton


07.25.07 - 8:30 a.m. EDT
The flight readiness review for the upcoming STS-118 mission is under way at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Agency and program managers convened this morning for the two-day meeting, in which they'll discuss the status of Space Shuttle Endeavour, the flight crew and payload in order to confirm an official launch date. Launch is currently targeted for the evening of Aug. 7.

Last week, the crew members completed the terminal countdown demonstration test. A routine element of prelaunch training, the test allowed the astronauts to try on their launch and entry suits, learn emergency procedures at the launch pad, and take part in a variety of familiarization activities and briefings. The test concluded with a countdown dress rehearsal at Launch Pad 39A.

Space Shuttle Endeavour has been in place at the launch pad since July 11, and the STS-118 payload -- including the S5 truss, SPACEHAB module and external stowage platform 3 -- is secured inside the orbiter's payload bay.

This will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002, and the first mission for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sh...ain/index.html

[GioFX]

SpaceFlightNow.com:

Endeavour 'go' for launch

NASA's two-day flight readiness review for space shuttle Endeavour's upcoming launch to the space station has concluded with officials affirming plans for blastoff at 7:02 p.m. EDT on August 7. The flight will deliver a small truss and supplies to the station and features Barbara Morgan, the first educator-astronaut.

[bojack]

Ho sentito al tg il sabotaggio dell'endevour, ma nel 3d non è riportato nulla o sbaglio?
Alla fine come si è risolta la storia?

[GioFX]

Posterò un articolo non appena si avranno sviluppi ma vi prego prendete con le tenaglie da metalmelccanico tutte le cose che sentite in tv o leggete sui giornali...

Vi è stato un espidodio di sabotaggio sicuramente grave ma forse circoscritto sebbene rimangano parecchi aspetti non ancora chiari. Brevemente un sub-contractor del programma STS ha notificato alcune settimane fa la direzione del programma della NASA di un tentativo di sabotaggio ad alcuni componenti di un sistema di controllo di hardwarte destinato alla ISS da portare su con la prossima missione. Il materiale non è mai arrivato in Florida, perchè bloccato in fabbrica dal contractor.

da Assiociated Press:

Conroe [Texas]-based Invocan today announced the company has not yet identified suspects or motives. Spokesman Kevin Champaigne (sham-PAYN') says they don't know if it was just one person.

Invocon made the unit for Boeing -- NASA's main contractor for the space station.

The item, which is about half the size of a briefcase, was to be installed inside the space station to collect data from strain gauges on an outside beam.

Invocon found severed wires in an identical unit being tested last week -- then alerted Boeing to check the space-bound unit and another one in storage.

[bojack]

Thx Gio! celere come sempre!

[Octane]

Leak issue resolved - Endeavour back on track for August 7

By Chris Bergin, 7/30/2007 9:39:43 AM
Engineers have managed to resolve a crew cabin leak on Endeavour, which had threatened the August 7 launch attempt of STS-118.

Working late into Sunday, engineers carried out several leak checks to find the source of the leak, which in the worst case scenario would have led to the rollback of the vehicle. In the end, the source of the leak was a loose nut on the Probe Assembly related to the Ingress/Egress Hatch, which simply required a half turn to stop the leak.


l'articolo completo:

The issue came to light on Saturday, during the standard leak tests on the crew cabin and Spacehab module. Engineers noticed a decay in the crew cabin's pressure at a rate of 0.06 psi (pounds per square inch) over a one hour period. The maximum allowable rate is 0.022 psi over a four hour period.

Several more leak checks were conducted, as the effort to find the source of the leak - a process which could have taken a large amount of time - took place, including the use of an ultrasonic leak detector.

The leak was identified as specific to the crew cabin, with one leak check showing the pressure decay rate had increased to nearly 0.089 psi per hour.

'IPR (Interim Problem Report) opened when the leak checks failed for the crew module and Spacehab. Troubleshooting with D-hatch closed exonerated Spacehab as the leak source,' noted troubleshooting information.

In the end, leak detectors weren't required, as due diligence from United Space Alliance engineers found, prior to pressurizing the Crew Module, that the b-nut on the Probe Assembly - which feeds the cables and the pressurized breathing air into the Ingress/Egress Hatch - was loose.

The nut was tightened hand-tight with approximately 180 degrees rotation by an engineer, and the leak test was performed with nominal results at approximately 0.001 psi/hr.

'Additional troubleshooting on Sunday revealed that the nut on the probe flex hose hookup assembly, which connects to the fitting on the hatch, rotated 180 degrees CW - it appeared that the nut was not on fully hand tight,' noted processing information on Monday.

'Nut was tightened and leak check tests were performed successfully and with no issues. IPR disposition is in work.'

Another leak test will be conducted on Tuesday, to ensure the issue has been resolved. As per usual, a final leak check will take place after the hatch is closed for launch.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5179

[Octane]

da NasaSpaceFlight:

STS:118: L-Seven Days - more leak issues, LON requirement aligned

By Chris Bergin, 7/31/2007 10:06:17 AM

NASA and the United Space Alliance (USA) are in the midst of dual processing flows, required to support STS-118's scheduled launch attempt next Tuesday.

Endeavour, sat on pad 39A, has a new leak issue being worked, while at the same time her older sister, Discovery, is being finalized for rollover one month later, in time to launch to the International Space Station to pick up a stranded crew in the event of an emergency.



New Leak Issue:

Engineers are attempting to track down the source of another pressure decay onboard Endeavour, after a leak check failed late last night on the crew cabin and Spacehab module.

The new leak is separate to the failed test at the weekend, which was quickly tracked down to a loose nut on the Probe Assembly related to the Ingress/Egress Hatch. Elements of the pad flow ahead next week's STS-118 have been delayed, while engineers evaluate the problem.

'Leak checks failed for the crew module and Spacehab. Cabin leak checks were performed again on Monday evening in the same configuration as (process) requires. Pressure decay failed at 0.047 per hour,' noted processing information on Tuesday.

'Five data points were taken every half hour. Leak rate remained the same at 0.023 psi per half hour. GSE (Ground Support Equipment) QD was disconnected from the probe and retightened b-nut on the probe, with no difference in decay rate. Engineering evaluation continues.

'S5009 Ordnance Installation/Connects, has been postponed to today (Tuesday) to accommodate SRB (Solid Rocket Booster) power up for HPU (Hydraulic Power Unit) fuel isolation valve cycling. S0071 Hyper/MPS (Main Propulsion System) Press/Closeouts operations are scheduled to pick up Wednesday.'

Launch On Need Requirement

To support Endeavour's mission, Discovery is required to launch within a schedule determined by a timeline known as CSCS (Crew Shuttle Contingency Support) - which is the amount of days the crew of Endeavour - along with the three member Expedition 15 crew - can be sustained onboard the ISS, until the four man rescue crew on Discovery arrive at the station.

While the chances of a LON (Launch On Need) rescue being called are remote at best, the requirement is often under reported. However, the contingency is a key element of post-Columbia safety improvements in the event of serious damage during ascent, or whilst on orbit.

In the event of a LON/CSCS scenario, Endeavour would have to be undocked from the ISS, before Discovery arrived to pick up the crew. The extent of damage to Endeavour would determine whether controllers would attempt to bring her home unmanned - via the available Remote Control Orbiter (RCO) modification, or if she sadly has to be destroyed via the disposal option, a controlled and destructive 'tail first' re-entry.

While the exact CSCS timeline is constantly under review - based on consumables onboard the ISS - Discovery is currently targeted to launch on October 5, if a LON rescue contingency was called during STS-118. At present, the ISS is in good shape, with large amounts of consumables, along another Progress re-supply ship due to launch in a couple of days time.

Because of LON/CSCS, NASA's shuttle schedule reflects this requirement, with the primary launch of Discovery - carrying Node 2 for installation on the station on STS-120, scheduled for October 23 - allowing the orbiter to be processed along a very similar timeline for both requirements.

As with all processing flows, issues can arise which delay the date an orbiter can be launched. Should this arise with Discovery, NASA can use backup options, which include Russian assistance via Soyuz rescue missions.

Looking at Discovery's processing flow, the orbiter is enjoying a smooth turnaround from her STS-116 mission at the end of 2006. Discovery recently had all three of her SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) installed, with the OMS (Orbital Manoeuvring System) Pods set to be installed into the business end of the orbiter this week.

'Payload configuration and bay closeouts continue,' added the latest processing information. 'Preparing for RH (Right Hand) OMS pod installation planned later this week. ECO (Engine Cut Off) sensor mod power up retest continues. SSME leak checks completed. Payload testing continues; CEIT (Crew Equipment Interface Test) scheduled later this week.'

The only issues with STS-120 relate to the External Tank (ET-120), which still needs concerns with a couple of its LO2 liquid level 'loading' sensors allaying, following out of spec readings during final checkouts at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF).

While Lockheed Martin engineers at MAF have worked a plan that gives colleagues at the Kennedy Space Center the option of flying 'as is' - or changing out the sensors - further tests are to be conducted on the tank inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to help assess the status of the sensors.

'Resistance checks for loading sensors on ET-120 still scheduled August 1,' noted processing information. 'Want LO2 loading sensor resistance check to be performed for ET-120. Hope stability of measurements is good. If resistance shifts further, team is ready to respond.'

Another issue relating to STS-120 and the LON requirement in support of STS-118 was resolved, after a hold in stacking operations for Discovery's Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) inside the VAB. Following the resolution of the issue, the left hand booster completed its build up, as operations moved to the adjacent right hand booster.

'During the LH (Left Hand) forward segment mate, operations were held while evaluations took place to understand segment drift above the FJAF (Field Joint Assembly Fixture),' noted ATK processing information. 'No contact was made with the FJAF.

'These evaluations determined that the drift was caused by the mate enclosure air conditioning duct (horizontal drift) and expansion of the crane cables (vertical drift) due to sunshine through the high bay doors. There was also a problem where the segment would not lower due to a crane fault. These problems were corrected and the mate was nominal.'

At present, ET-120 will join the boosters for mating on August 20 - although this is under review pending sensor tests - while Discovery is due to rollover and mated to the stack September 6, for rollout to pad 39A a week later.

Endeavour Readiness

Meanwhile, Endeavour, just a week away from the opening launch attempt for STS-118, was back into a smooth pad flow, after the scare of the pressure leak from the crew cabin over the weekend. The new leak issue could become a similar threat to the launch date as the previous pressure decay problem of Saturday and Sunday.

'Finished propellant load at pad and did leak checks. Completed EMU (EVA Mobility Unit - space suits) functional, and final SRB closeouts are in work,' added processing information on Monday, ahead of the problem with the new leak check later that evening.

'Payload bay doors closed for flight. Will recheck after ordnance installation Tuesday (now postponed due to new leak issue). Continuing this week with orbiter aft closeout, flight crew systems stow, hypergol and MPS tank pressurization. Will try to close aft compartment toward end of week.'

Over-viewing Endeavour's status with just over half a week before the start of S0007 (Launch Countdown), other than the new leak problem, the shuttle appears to be in great shape for her ride uphill to the ISS, as the last remaining items are cleared for flight.

'Discussed MPS (Main Propulsion System) temperature transducer at FRR (Flight Readiness Review) that was qualified only by similarity to Apollo vintage hardware,' added Standup/Integration report information, listing off a vast array of items that are being cleared ahead of the launch.

'Ran test on transducer this weekend for 50 mission duty cycle times four, and it looks good. Doing final NDE (Non-destructive Evaluation) Monday and Tuesday, and should wrap up certification this week.

'On Fiberglas material around ET disconnect, fire barrier coating was applied on STS-118, and is in good configuration for flight. GRC (Glenn Research Center) completed window testing almost one week early...with good results.'

Managers are meeting on a regular basis to check on Endeavour's status ahead of launch, following the FRR last Thursday, and the L-10 day bench review last Friday, which 'went well.'

The next big review will come in the form of the L-2 day meeting of the MMT (Mission Management Team), which checks over items of interest, as Endeavour proceeds with the three day countdown, which starts at T-43 hours and includes over 27 hours of built-in hold time leading, to a preferred launch time at 7:02 pm local time.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5180


da SpaceFlightnow:

Shuttle Endeavour cabin leak being investigated

BY WILLIAM HARWOOD
STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION
Posted: July 31, 2007


Engineers readying the shuttle Endeavour for the start of its countdown Saturday and launch next Tuesday on a space station assembly mission are wrestling with an apparent crew cabin leak that is proving difficult to isolate.

On Saturday, engineers carried out a standard crew module-airlock leak test and were surprised to note a pressure decay rate of 0.06 pounds per square inch in one hour. The allowable limit is 0.022 psi over four hours. After opening the crew cabin hatch and verifying the position of numerous valves, additional checks were carried out with similar results.

Troubleshooting continued Sunday and by Monday, engineers believed they had isolated the problem to a loose fitting in ground equipment. But tests Monday night to confirm that were not successful and engineers now suspect a real leak. Endeavour passed a similar leak test on May 15, before the shuttle was moved to the launch pad, and it's not clear what might have changed.

Endeavour is carrying a pressurized logistics module in its cargo bay that is connected to the shuttle's external airlock by a short tunnel. The airlock, in turn, is attached to the aft bulkhead of the crew module and there are multiple hatches, valves and seals where a leak could occur. Engineers suspect possible problems with a pressure relief valve located behind the back wall of the shuttle's toilet.

Troubleshooting is not yet complete and it's not yet clear what impact work to replace the valve, if required, might have on Endeavour's launch date. Such work would be invasive, however, and time is short.

The Endeavour astronauts - commander Scott Kelly, pilot Charles Hobaugh, Tracy Caldwell, Rick Mastracchio, Dave Williams, educator-astronaut Barbara Morgan and Al Drew - plan to fly to the Kennedy Space Center on Friday. The countdown is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Saturday for a launch at 7:02 p.m. Tuesday.

A wild card in the shuttle's ground processing flow is the planned launch of the Mars Phoenix lander atop a Delta 2 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff had been targeted for 5:35:18 a.m. Friday, but the high-priority flight has slipped 24 hours, to 5:26:31 a.m. Saturday, because of anticipated bad weather today.

Phoenix could launch as late as Sunday morning, at 5:17:23 a.m., and not impact NASA's plans to launch Endeavour on Tuesday. But bad weather or additional problems with the Mars mission could have an impact on the shuttle.

The $414 million mission has a limited 22-day launch window that won't reopen for another two years. NASA managers have said Phoenix likely would be given additional launch tries, if necessary.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttl...18/070731leak/

[GioFX]

Pare che forse si è trovato un sistema... povero Atlantis, ma per l'Endeavour questo è altro!


Da NasaSpaceFlight.com:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5181

Atlantis to donate valve for Endeavour troubleshoot

By Chris Bergin, 8/1/2007 9:25:59 AM

A replacement valve will be taken from Atlantis, after the United Space Alliance finalized a decision that will R&R (Remove and Replace) the cabin relief valve at the center of the failed leak tests on Endeavour.
The culprit, a Positive Pressure cabin Relief Valve B (PPRV B) - one of two valves - will be replaced overnight, in a process that at present will not affect the move to the launch countdown of STS-118, although the timeline is now very tight.

Testing of the cabin relief valves were completed this morning - via leak checks - which isolated the origin of the leak is PPRV B, after PPRV A passed. Its location is behind the Waste Collection System (WCS).

The results from the leak checks will be discussed at the OPO (Orbiter Project Office) meeting at noon today, with evaluations to consider whether the valve will require replacing. The R&R plan was approved, with NASA now meeting to give the approve the plan.

If replacement is the forward plan, the valve will be removed from Atlantis, to be replaced in Endeavour. Engineers do have other spare valves, which will ensure there is no impact to Atlantis' processing timeline.

'With the positive pressure cabin relief valve B enabled and valve A closed, the leakage rate was 0.06 psi/hr,' noted information acquired via live updates on L2.

'The Problem Resolution Team (PRT) recommends change out of the valve using Atlantis to cannibalize the part. This will be going to the Noon board for approval.

'If the OK is given to R&R (Remove and Replace) the valve, access is needed behind the WMC panel and the anticipated duration is eight hours to perform the R&R.

'After the R&R, time has to be found in the schedule to perform two cabin leak checks with the vehicle powered down.'

Memos flying around the Kennedy Space Center this morning did point towards an on time call to stations for the August 7 launch attempt. This is still under review.

The forward plan is to remove the valve from Atlantis this evening and R&R in Endeavour overnight.

Leak checks will be conducted on Friday and Saturday morning, ahead of the start of S0007 (launch countdown) on Saturday evening.

[Octane]

beh, dai! ne hanno anche altre di valvole di riserva. useranno quella dell'Atlantis solo perche' e' gia' testata e certificata

e concordo con Gio, per l'Endeavour questo e altro!

[GioFX]

Il lancio è stato appena posticipato di 24 ore!

Da NasaSpaceFlight.com:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5185

NASA decide to delay STS-118 by 24 hours

By Chris Bergin, 8/3/2007 12:27:08 PM

NASA managers have concluded a midday meeting by deciding to delay the launch of shuttle Endeavour on STS-118 by 24 hours.

The schedule proved to be too tight to work towards the start of the launch countdown - previously scheduled for Saturday evening - leading to a new launch date of August 8, at 6:36pm local time. The delay will allow for a full leak check on the orbiter on Saturday.

The one day slip will allow for a full leak check test of the crew cabin and Spacehab module in the payload bay, thus ensuring the pressure issues have been fully resolved. (Four articles on leak issue)

'Out of a 1200 scheduling meeting here at KSC, the decision was made to slip call to stations (CTS) 24 hours which will delay launch by 24 hours. We will not be launching on Aug 7,' noted an e-mail set out to managers after the conclusion of the midday meeting.

The delay won't change the plans for the STS-118 crew, who will arrive at KSC today, as planned.

______________________


La valvola intanto è stata sostituita con successo...

Valve replacement solves Endeavour leak - tight timeline

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5184