STS-120

[Gnam]

For the first time since the 1998 movie 'Armageddon', two Shuttles are prepped for lift off. :thumbup:

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5947/18719447.jpg


Atlantis is scheduled to leave on Monday.
Endeavour is flying standby.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/09/national/a095008D06.DTL&tsp=1

edit: mission is actually STS-125

[Insomniac]

For those who'd like to know, here is more information on what would happen if the second shuttle (STS-400) is required to rescue the members of STS-125:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.rescue04may04,0,496956,full.story

[devilmaster]

Wow, the plan to transfer all astronauts to the one shuttle reminded me of the brain teaser about the crossing the stream with boat, the lion, the boy and frog.....

And my brain hurts because of both of them... ;)

[nrc]

Is Bruce Willis on standby? :gomer:

[TravelGal]

I just want one of them to land at Edwards with enough notice so I can get out there. They said a while back that all shuttles would land at Cape Canaveral but weather still sends them over here as a last resort. Problem is, I never hear about it until about an hour ahead of time. Not enough time to get out anywhere near Edwards. I know can't actually see the landing any more but I'd love to see it fly by.

Next time they use Edwards as back up, would one of you shoot me a pm? Much appreciated.

[stroker]

I wish they'd return Hubble to earth when they're done with it instead of letting it burn up in re-entry...

[SteveH]

Next time they use Edwards as back up, would one of you shoot me a pm? Much appreciated.

I thought Edwards always was the back up. :confused:

[cameraman]

Next time they land at Edward's, sheesh.

[dando]

Vo_0UXRY_rY

:D

-Kevin

[FTG]

Wow, the plan to transfer all astronauts to the one shuttle reminded me of the brain teaser about the crossing the stream with boat, the lion, the boy and frog.....

And my brain hurts because of both of them... ;)

I liked Homer's solution.

[TrueBrit]

Very cool pic...hope they're not both needed though..

[Wheel-Nut]

Final countdown t minus 7 minutes

[dando]

Let's light this candle. :cool:

-Kevin

[SteveH]

giddy up

:thumbup:

[dando]

giddy up

:thumbup:

Go with throttle up. Every time I hear those words I get a little choked up. :(

-Kevin

[G.]

thanks for the heads-up. Caught it on the video feed, just in time.

:thumbup:

[dando]

thanks for the heads-up. Caught it on the video feed, just in time.

:thumbup:

Launch replays coming up next. :)

-Kevin

[dando]

BTW, STS-120 was the launch I saw from Fantasy Land in the Magic Kingdom in Oct 2007. I was waiting for the girls while they were on Cinderella's Carousel when I noticed a bunch of peeps looking to the east and I saw the plumes as the SRBs separated. Clear as day ~100 miles away. :cool:

-Kevin

[dando]

One space telescope captured. :thumbup:

-Kevin

[Gnam]

Shuttle eclipse :cool:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2431157.ece

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9862/051509atlantistransitsu.png

[chop456]

They shouldn't be flying that close to the sun.

[Gnam]

But space is chilly.

[dando]

EVA #5 wrapping up. :thumbup:

-Kevin

[dando]

And Hubble has been repaired and released. :thumbup:

-Kevin

[Gnam]

Scheduled to return on Friday.

Here's neat-o animated summary of the repairs made to Hubble.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/01/science/space/20090505-Hubble.html

[dando]

I just want one of them to land at Edwards with enough notice so I can get out there. They said a while back that all shuttles would land at Cape Canaveral but weather still sends them over here as a last resort. Problem is, I never hear about it until about an hour ahead of time. Not enough time to get out anywhere near Edwards. I know can't actually see the landing any more but I'd love to see it fly by.

Next time they use Edwards as back up, would one of you shoot me a pm? Much appreciated.

PM sent. Tomorrow might be your lucky day due to the stalled front that's raining cats and dogs along the SE coast.

-Kevin

[dando]

Listening to NASA TV while working today...the astronauts are trying to watch a DVD during the extra time in space, but can't get it to work. Apparently they are using Windows Media Player and don't have a CODEC installed. :gomer: :saywhat:

-Kevin

[RusH]

Listening to NASA TV while working today...the astronauts are trying to watch a DVD during the extra time in space, but can't get it to work. Apparently they are using Windows Media Player and don't have a CODEC installed. :gomer: :saywhat:

-Kevin

lol, they needs the VLC player, are the internets available in space? :rofl:

[dando]

lol, they needs the VLC player, are the internets available in space? :rofl:

A VHS player would be more appropriate considering the state of the technology up there. :gomer: :saywhat:

-Kevin

[RusH]

A VHS player would be more appropriate considering the state of the technology up there. :gomer: :saywhat:

-Kevin

call me whatever, but my JVC and Mitsubishi S-VHS units are still playing a vital roll in thwarting DVR fees and hipsters on the innerwebs, apparently..they gave up trying to program them...and I did not. :cry:

[Insomniac]

Bad weather at the prime landing site, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has delayed their return for two days. Mission control in Houston is now targeting the first landing opportunity tomorrow (Sunday) at Kennedy, which comes at 10:11 a.m. EDT. There is also one additional Kennedy landing opportunity tomorrow, as well as two at the alternative landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

They are going to do everything they can to get it to land at KSC to avoid a costly (and damaging) flight back for Edwards AFB. But they don't have much time left. I believe on Monday they will have to land at Edwards.

[Insomniac]

A VHS player would be more appropriate considering the state of the technology up there. :gomer: :saywhat:

-Kevin

They have IMAX cameras up there and are twittering!

On a side note, someone should've bought the CODEC and/or tested DVD playback before leaving.

[dando]

They are going to do everything they can to get it to land at KSC to avoid a costly (and damaging) flight back for Edwards AFB. But they don't have much time left. I believe on Monday they will have to land at Edwards.

Yup. It's KSC or Edwards come Monday. The wx is a real problem in the SE US, tho. They can't have any storms w/in 30 NM. It'll be interesting to see if the low that is stuck down there will move away in time. It's supposed to be affecting us Tues.

-Kevin

[dando]

They have IMAX cameras up there and are twittering!

On a side note, someone should've bought the CODEC and/or tested DVD playback before leaving.

The IMAX deal isn't anything new. They've had those up there many times. I was just listening to the NASA TV feed and if they're tweeting, I doubt it's a direct connection. They just asked for an update on MLB scores from last night.

-Kevin

[Insomniac]

The IMAX deal isn't anything new. They've had those up there many times. I was just listening to the NASA TV feed and if they're tweeting, I doubt it's a direct connection. They just asked for an update on MLB scores from last night.

-Kevin

Mike Massimino refuses to share his iPhone. ;)

[dando]

Edwards AFB it is. Too bad, I don't think TG saw my PM on this. :(

EDIT: landing to occur @ ~8:40 PT.

-Kevin

[dando]

Amazing watching this bird land against a brilliant blue sky. :thumbup:

-Kevin

[Insomniac]

Edwards AFB it is. Too bad, I don't think TG saw my PM on this. :(

EDIT: landing to occur @ ~8:40 PT.

-Kevin

Unfortunately, I think she's on vacation. Plus, they give about 90 minutes notice.

[dando]

Unfortunately, I think she's on vacation. Plus, they give about 90 minutes notice.

1 hour and 34 minutes to be exact. I thought it was highly likely they would end up landing @ Edwards considering the wx mess in the SE US. $10 the CC 600 gets postponed tonight.

-Kevin

[Insomniac]

1 hour and 34 minutes to be exact. I thought it was highly likely they would end up landing @ Edwards considering the wx mess in the SE US. $10 the CC 600 gets postponed tonight.

-Kevin

Much like wanting to attend a launch, you just have to take the chance. Although, if you're going for a week, you're more likely to catch the landing as long as it left on time.

[Elmo T]

NASA announced on May 31, 2009, that its Launch Pad 39B at Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center, has been transferred from the Shuttle Program to the new Constellation Program. Pad 39B will be readied for the first flight test of its new Ares I rocket, now scheduled for August 2009. (http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25418/1066/)

I see these updates and I have to wonder if NASA can pull this off. Any chance the budget holds out?

[Gnam]

I have not seen any news about budget cuts. The Airforce is apparently getting into the game with space UAVs. Where is my X-wing? :gomer:

http://www.space.com/news/090602-x-37b-space-plane.html

[dando]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-10348388-239.html?tag=mncol

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20090909/butterfly.jpg

:eek:

:cool:

-Kevin

[KLang]

Awesome stuff! :thumbup:

[Gnam]

Great mission. :thumbup:

[oddlycalm]

Some things never get old. :thumbup:

oc

[JLMannin]

I would like to see the Hubble team redo the deep field with the new equipment.

At the St Louis Science Center, they have a wall sized image of the Hubble Deep Field image. My son and I could look at that image in awe for hours. That is definitely the most thought provoking image I have ever looked at. 75,000 galaxies visible in a spot in the sky the size of a dime viewed at 75 miles. Think about that for a minute. And astrophysicists say that the distribution of galaxies across the sky is uniform.

[Gnam]

Space on a budget. :thumbup:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/the-150-space-camera-mit-students-beat-nasa-on-beer-money-budget/

[Don Quixote]

Space on a budget. :thumbup:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/the-150-space-camera-mit-students-beat-nasa-on-beer-money-budget/ That is just plain awesome. :thumbup:

[Napoleon]

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20090909/butterfly.jpg


-Kevin

Hum, that reminds me of the first year my parents sent me off to Camp Fitch (http://www.campfitchymca.org/index.php) and I was amazed that some of the other campers entertained themselves by lighting farts.

[chop456]

Pad 39B will be readied for the first flight test of its new Ares I rocket, now scheduled for August 2009.[/I]


Liftoff at 09:24 ET.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

[dando]

Still there, still there, still there... :gomer:

-Kevin

[KLang]

4 minutes....


Edit: again

[dando]

4 minutes....


Edit: again

Still there. still there, still there.... :saywhat:

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Like my pending car trip to see the Mouse -

"ArewethereyetArewethereyetHowmuchlongerArewetherey etArewethereyet?"


"Just 4 more minutes..." :gomer:

[dando]

Like my pending car trip to see the Mouse -

"ArewethereyetArewethereyetHowmuchlongerArewetherey etArewethereyet?"


"Just 4 more minutes..." :gomer:

One word: Benadryl. It is your friend. :D :gomer:

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

One word: Benadryl. It is your friend. :D :gomer:

-Kevin

How much Benadryl do I need to sleep after my overnight driving stint, when Mrs. Elmo takes over the wheel, the kids wake up, and we have 6 more hours to go?

On topic - are those towers near the launch pad new? I don't remember seeing those previously.

[dando]

How much Benadryl do I need to sleep after my overnight driving stint, when Mrs. Elmo takes over the wheel, the kids wake up, and we have 6 more hours to go?

On topic - are those towers near the launch pad new? I don't remember seeing those previously.

A gallon. ;)

Yes, those towers are new. I assume they are to keep the stick standing prior to launch day. :eek:

Launch scrubbed for today. :(

-Kevin

[chop456]

Ares I-X Countdown Progresses
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:21:24 AM CDT


With the countdown under way, the launch team is targeting a 6 a.m. rollback of the rotating service structure. The launch window opens at 8 a.m. and extends until noon. At present, the most likely T-0 may come between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.

Just as yesterday, the weather will be the question of the day. The forecast is for 60 percent "no-go" once again. Overnight, weather moved through the area producing rain and lightning. There were four strikes near the launch pad, and vehicle testing is running concurrently with the count to ensure there are no issues as a result. So far, all results are good. The closest strike was .44 miles away from the pad.

[dando]

Next best guess is 10:30 ET.

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Triboelectrification concerns. :confused:



The triboelectric effect (also known as 'triboelectric charging') is a type of contact electrification in which certain materials become electrically charged after they come into contact with another different material and are then separated (such as through rubbing). The polarity and strength of the charges produced differ according to the materials, surface roughness, temperature, strain, and other properties.

Found more:


NASA follows what they call the Triboelectrification Rule whereby they will cancel a launch if the launch vehicle is predicted to pass through certain types of clouds. Flying through high-level clouds can generate “P-static” (P for precipitation), which can create static around the launch vehicle that will interfere with radio signals sent by or to the vehicle. This may prevent transmitting of telemetry to the ground or if the need arises to send a signal to the vehicle, particularly any critical signal for the flight termination system. When a hold is put in place due to the triboelectrification rule, it remains until Space Wing and observer personnel such as those in reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the skies are clear
But you already knew that...

[KLang]

Next best guess is 10:30 ET.

-Kevin

Make that about 11:05 ET.

[dando]

Make that about 11:05 ET.

220/221...whatever works. :gomer:

-Kevin

[Al Czervik]

Triboelectrification concerns. :confused:



Found more:


But you already knew that...

See Apollo 12 for an example.

[KLang]

220/221...whatever works. :gomer:

-Kevin


:laugh:

This is nuts listening to these guys try to predict what time a gap in the clouds will show up over the pad.

[dando]

This is nuts listening to these guys try to predict what time a gap in the clouds will show up over the pad.

The longest four minutes of my life. :gomer:

-Kevin

[dando]

And we're off...

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Thunderbirds are GO!

[dando]

Me being lazy, what's the thrust comparison b/w the pencil and the Sat V?

-Kevin

[Elmo T]

Saturn V 1st stage = 7.64M lb
Ares I 1st stage = 3.6M lb

YMMV