STS 131 Discovery, March 18, 2010.

Beeker

STS-131 General facts


131st Shuttle mission

18th Post-Columbia mission

106th Post-Challenger mission

38th Flight of Discovery

35th Night launch

22nd Night launch off pad 39A

78th Launch off padd 39A

24th Night landing

74th KSC landing

22nd KSC night landing

24.20 Years since STS-51L

7.18 Years since STS-107

Beeker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEhi7NdFrag

ynotdu

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition22/keys_to_station_feature.html

meanwhile come March 18th will be down to a two man crew again when expedition 22 undocks
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?param=station




Live Video can often be found above from the ISS.

meanwhile according to NASA.s calender expedition 23 will launch on April 2nd via Soyuz just three days before STS-131 will launch.

That used to be against the rules,i don't know if it still is?since the ISS now has four docking ports?

lord lucan

ynotdu wrote: »

meanwhile according to NASA.s calender expedition 23 will launch on April 2nd via Soyuz just three days before STS-131 will launch.

That used to be against the rules,i don't know if it still is?since the ISS now has four docking ports?

They deemed dual docked missions to be allowed recently but they're still reluctant to use it. If they can avoid having a Soyuz and a Shuttle there at the same time they will.

Beeker

Leonardo is weighed and then loaded into the payload cannister to be readied for roll out to the launch pad on Mar 15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA_Cr4aBx8I

Beeker

Crew and Ground teams ready for flight!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L61bY7ZZas

ynotdu

lord lucan wrote: »

They deemed dual docked missions to be allowed recently but they're still reluctant to use it. If they can avoid having a Soyuz and a Shuttle there at the same time they will.

Dunno what i was thinking in my post LL that the above is your reply to.
On reflection when expedition 22 departs on Mar 18th it will mean only one Soyuz attached until the arrival of expedition 23.
A Soyuz takes about 36 hours to catch up and dock with the ISS,so the configuration of the ISS will be as normal for STS-131 to launch.

A VERY tight schedule though in the event that Soyuz for some reason cannot launch would surely cause some delay to 131 as there would be 9 Astronauts on the ISS and only one Soyuz to use as a lifeboat if the shuttle sustained damage.

I wonder has NASA got a plan for that worse case scenario,like two extra soyuz ready for launch?I'm sure there is a plan i just have not heard of it?
I'm just thinking out loud really.

Beeker

ynotdu wrote: »

Dunno what i was thinking in my post LL that the above is your reply to.
On reflection when expedition 22 departs on Mar 18th it will mean only one Soyuz attached until the arrival of expedition 23.
A Soyuz takes about 36 hours to catch up and dock with the ISS,so the configuration of the ISS will be as normal for STS-131 to launch.

A VERY tight schedule though in the event that Soyuz for some reason cannot launch would surely cause some delay to 131 as there would be 9 Astronauts on the ISS and only one Soyuz to use as a lifeboat if the shuttle sustained damage.

I wonder has NASA got a plan for that worse case scenario,like two extra soyuz ready for launch?I'm sure there is a plan i just have not heard of it?
I'm just thinking out loud really.

Atlantis would be the LON {Launch on Need} orbiter in the event of damage to Discovery. They would just have to camp out in the ISS until Atlantis launched. Poor astronauts having to wait on board the station with nothing to do except look at the Earth and universe from the cupola:D

ynotdu

Beeker wrote: »

Leonardo is weighed and then loaded into the payload cannister to be readied for roll out to the launch pad on Mar 15.

Is'nt it really cool that Leanardo will become a Permanent Logistics module? Somebody was using their Loaf there!

I'm still convinced an 'Irish Mammy' works for NASA.
"dont throw that out,I'll find a use for it!":)
Wonder will she come up with a plan for the fully flight ready extra external tank!;)

ynotdu

Beeker wrote: »

Atlantis would be the LON {Launch on Need} orbiter in the event of damage to Discovery. They would just have to camp out in the ISS until Atlantis launched. Poor astronauts having to wait on board the station with nothing to do except look at the Earth and universe from the cupola:D

Lol Beaky Yeah a terrible fate for sure!:)

lord lucan

Looks like Discovery is doing her best to extend the programme! Potential delay to STS-131 and it can't be fixed out at 39a.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/03/sts-131-rcs-leak-right-oms-threatens-rollback/

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

Looks like Discovery is doing her best to extend the programme! Potential delay to STS-131 and it can't be fixed out at 39a.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/03/sts-131-rcs-leak-right-oms-threatens-rollback/

No rush with the last few.........let them take their time:)

Beeker

Testing all this week and a decision will be made at the end of the week.

Beeker

Decision put off until FRR {Flight readiness review} next week.

Beeker

Payload has arrived at the pad. Still no decision on launch.

lord lucan

Looking a bit more positive now.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/03/sts-131-rrcs-testing-positive-frr-flight-rationale-decision/

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

Looking a bit more positive now.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/03/sts-131-rrcs-testing-positive-frr-flight-rationale-decision/

Yeah looks that way....hold on to one of your easter eggs for the big day:D:D

lord lucan

Beeker wrote: »

Yeah looks that way....hold on to one of your easter eggs for the big day:D:D

I'll save my 'MARS' easter egg for launch!:D

ynotdu

I,ve decided to unsubscribe from boards.ie,gonna miss You guys!
That includes ALL on the 127/8/9 threads and the Space/Astronomy forum!

God speed 131!

God speed Ya'll:)

lord lucan

ynotdu wrote: »

I,ve decided to unsubscribe from boards.ie,gonna miss You guys!
That includes ALL on the 127/8/9 threads and the Space/Astronomy forum!

God speed 131!

God speed Ya'll:)

Don't Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fifilarue

I agree with lord lucan, ynotdu-reconsider. I don't really contribute anything to this forum but I love reading your stuff...it would be a much less interesting place without you.

Beeker

ynotdu wrote: »

I,ve decided to unsubscribe from boards.ie,gonna miss You guys!
That includes ALL on the 127/8/9 threads and the Space/Astronomy forum!

God speed 131!

God speed Ya'll:)

What happened my friend?:eek: Hope you come back. Gonna miss your humour and friendship here.:(

Beeker

Payload arriving last week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQqNWlKrwYk

Beeker

Behind the scenes preperations for STS 131

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5DJZyXQvT4

lord lucan

FRR appears to be going well,indications are that they're happy enough to proceed.

lord lucan

We're go for launch April 5th at 06.21 EDT(11.21 in Ireland)!:):):)

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

We're go for launch April 5th at 06.21 EDT(11.21 in Ireland)!:):):)

Looks good!!

*Beeker hids away an easter egg for consumption during launch:D

fifilarue

Beeker wrote: »

Looks good!!

*Beeker hids away an easter egg for consumption during launch

:D:D

Beeker

STS 131 behind the scene's parts 2&3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxZWnzmaJ2o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD4o18HOzrE

lord lucan

Mike Massimino is a legend. He should go into tv when his days in the astronaut office are over.:)

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

Mike Massimino is a legend. He should go into tv when his days in the astronaut office are over.:)

Yeah he really has become the face of the shuttle programme.:)

Beeker

Under nominal conditions, Discovery will liftoff from Pad 39A at the precise moment that Earth’s rotation carries the launch pad into the center of the orbital corridor of the International Space Station (referred to as the “in-plane” launch time).
Despite a preference to launch at this “in-plane” time, which currently rests at 06:21:16 EDT on April 5 (11:21:16 Irish time), the “in-plane” time is not the only moment at which Discovery can launch on April 5. The entire launch window for the opening launch day extends from 06:16:22 EDT – 06:29:36 EDT. a total of 13-minutes and 14-seconds. (Exact second marks are subject to change based on real-time ISS position on the day of launch.)

Given a launch at 6:21a.m. EDT on April 5, Discovery will dock with the ISS at 3:46a.m. EDT (08:46 Irish time) Wednesday, April 7.

Beeker

Crew have arrived at the KSC for the launch

Beeker

Video of the arrival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvW0clxVlZA

lord lucan

Weather forecast looks great for Monday,shouldn't be a constraint to launch. Let's hope Discovery's systems play ball and we get away first time.

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

Weather forecast looks great for Monday,shouldn't be a constraint to launch. Let's hope Discovery's systems play ball and we get away first time.

:DLaunch fever.........go,go,go.......................:D:D

Beeker

ynotdu if you are reading this as a guest....come on back for the launch! We need you:)

lord lucan

Beeker wrote: »

ynotdu if you are reading this as a guest....come on back for the launch! We need you:)

It's eerily quiet on the launch thread without him!:(

Think it'll just be me and you Beeker here on monday!

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

It's eerily quiet on the launch thread without him!:(

Think it'll just be me and you Beeker here on monday!

Looks that way. We might have Stargate, Kevster, Capt'n Midnight,12april1981, Jumpguy or any of the others we normally see, but it wont be the same with ynotdu:(

Beeker

Soyuz TM18 launched this morning with the ISS expedition 23 crew aboard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4S3xp_j0uQ

jumpguy

So lads, long time no see! How's this looking to be a visible-over-Ireland launch?

lord lucan

jumpguy wrote: »

So lads, long time no see! How's this looking to be a visible-over-Ireland launch?

It'll be after 11 in the morning here when she launches so we won't get to see it. Weather forecast is ****e anyways unfortunately.

How's your good self Jumpguy?

lord lucan

RSS retract in effect at the moment.

lord lucan

Weather still looking great for KSC and TAL sites. Roll on tomorrow morning!:)

lord lucan

Beeker

Countdown running smoothly!

ynotdu

well if i cannot be here with Yous tomorrow in person,i will be with You's in spirit!:)
Happy Easter! {what's left of it}

Oh and Beaky YOU mentioning Soyuz???? the grieving has well set in on Ya!!!!! Lol

You's are the best!:)

lord lucan

ynotdu wrote: »

well if i cannot be here with Yous tomorrow in person,i will be with You's in spirit!:)
Happy Easter! {what's left of it}

Oh and Beaky YOU mentioning Soyuz???? the grieving has well set in on Ya!!!!! Lol

You's are the best!:)

:):):):):):):)

lord lucan

lord lucan

Tanking was successful,all 7 crew are onboard and weather is green. Close-out crew are finishing up taking the white room apart.So far so good!:)