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glojo
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It's just been made public that this mission will now be extended by two days which will allow at least one extra mission to repair some damaged tiles on the Space Shuttle. The area is not deemed in a dangerous area and the repair has been well rehearsed.
John
John
Flyer
MB Enthusiast
Just seen that; the damaged tiles looked quite bad. I keep losing my NASA feed, so I hope I'll get to see the repair. Fascinating how they can do work such as this in such a hostile environment.
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
It's that time again,
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is due to lift off tonight at about 11-36pm (2336hrs). This craft has just undergone a five year refit so it is now bought up to the very latest specification.
I am fascinated by this space m'larky and during these missions my computer is always logged onto NASA TV
It is fascinating to watch the crew being strapped into their seats as the shuttle is in a vertical position so the crew is in reality laying in their seats and the ground crew that are strapping them down are actually walking on the bulkheads (wall) of the spaceship, although to look at the TV pictures the ground crew are walking around quite naturally.
I wish NASA TV was a Sky channel as the footage we will be watching during the upcoming mission is mind blowing. If anyone has HD TV then watch the Discovery Channel documentary about the space station.
Bye for now,
John
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is due to lift off tonight at about 11-36pm (2336hrs). This craft has just undergone a five year refit so it is now bought up to the very latest specification.
I am fascinated by this space m'larky and during these missions my computer is always logged onto NASA TV
It is fascinating to watch the crew being strapped into their seats as the shuttle is in a vertical position so the crew is in reality laying in their seats and the ground crew that are strapping them down are actually walking on the bulkheads (wall) of the spaceship, although to look at the TV pictures the ground crew are walking around quite naturally.
I wish NASA TV was a Sky channel as the footage we will be watching during the upcoming mission is mind blowing. If anyone has HD TV then watch the Discovery Channel documentary about the space station.
Bye for now,
John
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
You heard it here first
It would appear that NASA is still very concerned about falling debris from fuel tanks on launching of the space shuttle. All information will be reviewed before the launch of the Discovery space shuttle and the experts need to be convinced it is safe to carry on.
The latest damaged tile is just typical of every mission although it has been suggested the current damage is pretty bad. It involves two tiles although the damage to one of them is very slight. This damaged has been scanned by laser and other very specialised equipment and as a result NASA is now replicating the EXACT tile damage. Later today they will be putting these tiles into an oven like device and replicating re-entry. From there they will decide on what, if any repair they will make to one, or both tiles. At todays press conference it has been disclosed that the damage has practically cut right through the tile and is exposing the first under layer of protection.
The lead officials were asked the following question. If the shuttle had an emergency and had to de orbit, then could it do this? YES, was the emphatic answer, the damage is serious, but all the experts have agreed the shuttle could safely re-enter. They have also stated though that if they have the opportunity to repair, then that is the decision of choice.
The space station has now been fitted with extra solar panels and this extra power has enabled the station to supply the shuttle with its required power so they have all agreed to extend the current mission by three days to ease the work load on everyone. It might also be further extended to allow repairs to the space shuttle tiles. The slight down-side is that when the shuttle is using the station power supply it's water making machinery is shut down, so that is not perfect.
John
It would appear that NASA is still very concerned about falling debris from fuel tanks on launching of the space shuttle. All information will be reviewed before the launch of the Discovery space shuttle and the experts need to be convinced it is safe to carry on.
The latest damaged tile is just typical of every mission although it has been suggested the current damage is pretty bad. It involves two tiles although the damage to one of them is very slight. This damaged has been scanned by laser and other very specialised equipment and as a result NASA is now replicating the EXACT tile damage. Later today they will be putting these tiles into an oven like device and replicating re-entry. From there they will decide on what, if any repair they will make to one, or both tiles. At todays press conference it has been disclosed that the damage has practically cut right through the tile and is exposing the first under layer of protection.
The lead officials were asked the following question. If the shuttle had an emergency and had to de orbit, then could it do this? YES, was the emphatic answer, the damage is serious, but all the experts have agreed the shuttle could safely re-enter. They have also stated though that if they have the opportunity to repair, then that is the decision of choice.
The space station has now been fitted with extra solar panels and this extra power has enabled the station to supply the shuttle with its required power so they have all agreed to extend the current mission by three days to ease the work load on everyone. It might also be further extended to allow repairs to the space shuttle tiles. The slight down-side is that when the shuttle is using the station power supply it's water making machinery is shut down, so that is not perfect.
John
grober
MB Master
good fortune?
This tile damage seems to happen with great regularity now . It makes you wonder if the early missions suffered from this but got away with it from sheer good fortune.-- what you don't know---you don't worry about??
This tile damage seems to happen with great regularity now . It makes you wonder if the early missions suffered from this but got away with it from sheer good fortune.-- what you don't know---you don't worry about??
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
This was discussed at the latest meeting and they are examining all the data from previous flights to see if there has been any comparable damage, but the folks in charge have stated this information is less important than the immediate need of carrying out the numerous tests on the current damaged tiling. The grounding of future missions has not been discounted but it is also possible that work-arounds might solve these problems? Also being considered is the use of making various parts in titanium, evidently this material prevents ice from forming.This tile damage seems to happen with great regularity now . It makes you wonder if the early missions suffered from this but got away with it from sheer good fortune.-- what you don't know---you don't worry about??
Today's space walk has all been about replacing one of the gyroscopic controls for the space station. The video footage is stunning and I smile when we all debate what newspaper gives the best reporting of world events. How many of our national papers are covering this amazing feat of human accomplishment? Astronauts working in temperatures that fluctuate between -100f and well over 300f? I guarantee that if things went wrong there would be blanket coverage, but until then??? Lets all study the Independent to see the detailed reporting of this mission. (Not the problematic tile issue)
Regards
John
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When the kids were young I managed to sweettalk NASA into letting us witness a launch from the site where the wives/families and VIPs go. I believe it is the closest you can get without being underground. Boy! was I the hero that day!
Quite possibly one of the most awesome things I have ever witnessed - and heard and felt. So close that you could hear the explosion and feel the ground tremble when (or after) it took off. When the shuttle was no longer in view we were advised over the tannoy to get back in our cars as the "exhaust gas could have a mild corrosive effect on the skin"
I have it on VHS-C somewhere (and trying to keep it in sight through a B&W eyepiece was no joke - Carol had to guide me!) Must see if I can dig it out.
I am a very lucky guy
Quite possibly one of the most awesome things I have ever witnessed - and heard and felt. So close that you could hear the explosion and feel the ground tremble when (or after) it took off. When the shuttle was no longer in view we were advised over the tannoy to get back in our cars as the "exhaust gas could have a mild corrosive effect on the skin"
I have it on VHS-C somewhere (and trying to keep it in sight through a B&W eyepiece was no joke - Carol had to guide me!) Must see if I can dig it out.
I am a very lucky guy
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Envy, envy, mega envy. Make sure you back up that tape. If only... Will never make up for the loss.I have it on VHS-C somewhere (and trying to keep it in sight through a B&W eyepiece was no joke - Carol had to guide me!) Must see if I can dig it out.
I am a very lucky guy
I cannot begin to imagine the sensation and it is something I would love to experience.
The day after the launch NASA TV shows footage from within the cockpit of the shuttle during the launch. The vibration would most certainly shake-up the olde tooth fillings
The sad thing is that all shuttle launches have this footage and that simply does NOT bear thinking about.A better thought is how astronauts manage going to the toilet during the very long space walks. They have just passed the four hour mark.
At present they are tightening the bolts holding down the new gyroscope. Each bolt has approximately 8 turns and torqued to 24ftIbs. It is interesting to hear them using their spanners, it is supposed to be a European space station, but they use imperial measurements for their tools and ft Ibs for torque settings? Something else I find interesting is how every 5 - 10 minutes they check the palms of their gloves for any damage.
John
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Wow, what an experience, no wonder you were the family hero it sounds great.
Being British did you remember to toast some tea-cakes..
Being British did you remember to toast some tea-cakes..
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Found the footage - I had transferred onto a VHS tape (along with all the other home movies of that era!) Of course, I do not have a Video player anymore - anybody got one of those combined Video/DVD recorder things who would be willing to transfer for me? I do have the footage still on VHS-C as insurance so not real risk
lotusmark2
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I have a video linked into my DVDR so I can sort it for you bud
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lotusmark2
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
You heard it here first
Todays space walk has been ended early for one of the astronauts. I mentioned in a previous post how I noticed how they were regularly inspecting their gloves, well during one of these routine inspections it has been noticed that the glove is damaged in the area of the thumb. Both gloves appear to be showing damage but one was worse than the other so his walk has been aborted and he has returned to the air-lock. There is no danger, but since mission ST-116 it has been decreed that gloves will be regularly inspected during every space walk. What a great decision. No danger to the individual, just a good decision based on previous experiences.
John
Todays space walk has been ended early for one of the astronauts. I mentioned in a previous post how I noticed how they were regularly inspecting their gloves, well during one of these routine inspections it has been noticed that the glove is damaged in the area of the thumb. Both gloves appear to be showing damage but one was worse than the other so his walk has been aborted and he has returned to the air-lock. There is no danger, but since mission ST-116 it has been decreed that gloves will be regularly inspected during every space walk. What a great decision. No danger to the individual, just a good decision based on previous experiences.
John
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glojo
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NASA has stated they do not intend making any repairs to the damaged tile and the final space walk will be to carry out remaining tasks that were scheduled plus the items that were postponed when the damaged glove was discovered.
NASA is not saying yet whether the glove was cut or worn through but they are re-examining ever inch of camera footage to see if they can discover what might be the cause of the 'cut'?
A question being asked is why isn't NASA going to repair the damaged tile? It has been stated this is quite severe damage and although every single expert agrees the shuttle is safe, the consensus is that it would have been good training to have carried out the repair, plus of course it is a 'belt and braces' issue. A bigger concern is the fact that all shuttles were grounded for a considerable period of time in an effort to resolve this very thing from happening. Will they allow future missions? That question has NOT been answered.
I love watching the space missions but I flatly refuse to watch either of the shuttle disasters, and there is no way NASA can gloss over this frightening problem.
Regards
John
NASA is not saying yet whether the glove was cut or worn through but they are re-examining ever inch of camera footage to see if they can discover what might be the cause of the 'cut'?
A question being asked is why isn't NASA going to repair the damaged tile? It has been stated this is quite severe damage and although every single expert agrees the shuttle is safe, the consensus is that it would have been good training to have carried out the repair, plus of course it is a 'belt and braces' issue. A bigger concern is the fact that all shuttles were grounded for a considerable period of time in an effort to resolve this very thing from happening. Will they allow future missions? That question has NOT been answered.
I love watching the space missions but I flatly refuse to watch either of the shuttle disasters, and there is no way NASA can gloss over this frightening problem.
Regards
John
