STS 135 is GO!!

eilejh

Ha ha...I had to edit that post..I spelled it (THE NAME) wrong again! Yikes!

Thanks for all the pics and videos....really enjoying them.

clln

eilejh wrote: »

Ha ha...I had to edit that post..I spelled it (THE NAME) wrong again! Yikes

but eieio at least You never claimed to be perfect!;):D

eilejh

Make that eieiOOO

Monitoring the weather threads.Hurricane season and we have our 2nd Invest already. May get named tomorrow.
Relevance to this thread is, of course, pertinence to Florida weather for launch of STS 135. A month away yet.
Hurricane Hunters will be flying recon most likely tomorrow.
NOUS42 KNHC 032045 AMD
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

http://www.hurricanehunters.com/

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/hunters.shtml
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0445 PM EDT FRI 03 JUNE 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 04/1100Z TO 05/1100Z JUNE 2011

eilejh

By your grace Mods. One more link. This is where NOAA gets their info? first....The U.S. Navy
This site tells us when an INVEST is declared (area of Investigation). It all ramps up after that or dies down. To make sure, the NHC will send out Hurricane Hunters for Reconnaisance Missions.
So the cadence goes like this
1.Invest (they are numbered)
2.Named Storm..... Tropical Depression
3.Tropical Storm
4.Hurricane

http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/TC.html

Over and out................

eilejh

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=110906&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=60

Beeker

clln wrote: »

Had a bit of fun in the Sun today with Sssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh Mrs Beeker,will watch the posts before this ASAP,but darn Mrs Beeker is really tiring in a very very nice way!



hubba hubba!;)

:eek: So thats where she was! she told me she needed some space:pac::D:D

Beeker

Still find it strange to see a four person crew. It is in fact only the third 4 person crew in the shuttle programme in fact in spaceflight history. The first was STS-5 in 1982 and the second was STS-6 in 1983.

clln

clln wrote: »

The Jerry Ross in the video flew seven Shuttle flights and is still with NASA,he refused all job offers that would place him as 'One of the suits!'

Again too late in with the edit,,he took a job that that made him one of the 'suits'. but refused job offers that would have made him 'more important' within NASA.

Info about one of his seven Shuttle flights courtesy of Beekers thread Beeker in the attic at link below:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=72116270&postcount=95

or full thread here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055994374

Beeker

Some more great panoramas of Atlantis on the pad.:)

http://nasatech.net/STS-135_OnPada110601/


http://nasatech.net/STS-135_OnPadb110601/


http://nasatech.net/STS-135_OnPadc110601/


http://nasatech.net/STS-135_OnPadd110601

Beeker

The launch platform that Atlantis will use, MLP3, was the platform that was used for the very first launch from Pad 39A, Apollo 4 in 1967. It was also used by Apollo 8 and Apollo 11.

lord lucan

She looks beautiful from every angle.:)

lord lucan

This just appeared in SpaceVidsNet feed on Youtube. It's Atlantis' rollout. Some savage shots at the beginning that give you a great idea of how large the stack and MLP is on top of the crawler.

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

And here's the full Q&A with the crew of STS-135 from the same night. Good banter with this crew and they seem more than aware of the historic flight they're undertaking.

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

eilejh

Just overwhelming............first thing I noticed was how apparently all the employees and most likely families as well etc signed the 'We're behind you, Atlantis' banner. Very touching.

clln

Seems like our rumours of the death of the Crawlers after STS-135 were greatly exaggerated,but some good news for the beleagured workforce long term!

With the painful job losses continuing to be suffered at the Florida Spaceport, Director Bob Cabana addressed his workforce last week, announcing a Center Director forum in the summer, as he aims to transition the center into the focal point for hosting government and commercial launch service providers.
Mr. Cabana also noted that NASA’s future architecture is emerging, and that he expects a decision “this summer” on the configuration of the SLS, citing KSC has a lot of important work over the coming months and years.
Ironically, KSC has already made a decision relating to hosting a HLV at the spaceport, after the entire Crawler Transporter group – which was already under layoff notice – was told they are keeping their jobs via KSC allocating funding for them to work man hour/material/project estimates for upgrading the famous Crawlers for SLS.
The group was told that NASA Ames had finished design on new Jacking, Equalization and Leveling System Cylinders (16/CT) and bearings, as well as work on new Rollers (88/CT, over 2000lbs/roller, heavy duty, mombo rollers and bearings/bushings) for the belts/shoes.

The full article has a lot of speculation but again for more of the workforce things are looking hopeful at least medium term.
bit long but well worth the read in My opinion,seems certain now that the Space Shuttle Main Engines will be used on the early flights of the new Space Launch system and finally a sense of urgency and reality coming into it!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/06/sls-decision-nasa-two-phase-approach/

lord lucan

ET-138 is also getting a lovely painted intertank door just like ET-122.:)

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-060611a.html

thecommander

lord lucan wrote: »

ET-138 is also getting a lovely painted intertank door just like ET-122.:)

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-060611a.html

It's a great logo. One of the best I think that they've used.

lord lucan

thecommander wrote: »

It's a great logo. One of the best I think that they've used.

I've one of these. Wonder if it'll get a few quid for me on ebay seeing as it's inaccurate!:pac::pac:

lord lucan

Great little video here:http://www.spacevidcast.com/2011/06/07/a-tour-of-atlantis-and-the-launch-pad-spacepod-2011-06-07/

thecommander

Had the realisation that the launch is on the same day as the largest job of the year for me starts. While I usually have the luxury of sitting at home or in office to watch a launch this means I'll be on site working. Probably be able to nip out for a few hours to hotel with wifi, or we could all start a dance for the weather gods.

ceejay

Beeker wrote: »

The RSS will be kept closed over Atlantis until close to Launch time. It will only be retracted for the payload canister and for the {TCDT} terminal countdown demonstration test. These will only be for a few days at a time. Not sure of the exact dates at this moment.

I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed then

Beeker

thecommander wrote: »

Had the realisation that the launch is on the same day as the largest job of the year for me starts. While I usually have the luxury of sitting at home or in office to watch a launch this means I'll be on site working. Probably be able to nip out for a few hours to hotel with wifi, or we could all start a dance for the weather gods.

July 8th not a great day for me either. Will have to organise a few days holidays to make sure I can watch it at home on the big screen.:)

eilejh

thecommander wrote: »

or we could all start a dance for the weather gods.

The COMMANDER knows instinctively how to rally his troops at all times.........

lord lucan

I really hope this comes off. We normally only see the ET after separation with cameras from the Orbiter,proposal here to basically keep the camera that's mounted on the ET rolling until it breaks up. May not amount to much but i've always been curious about the ET's final minutes.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/06/sts-135-camera-modification-aimed-filming-footage-et-138s-death/

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

I really hope this comes off. We normally only see the ET after separation with cameras from the Orbiter,proposal here to basically keep the camera that's mounted on the ET rolling until it breaks up. May not amount to much but i've always been curious about the ET's final minutes.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/06/sts-135-camera-modification-aimed-filming-footage-et-138s-death/

A lot of tumbling I would suspect but well worth doing.

thecommander

lord lucan wrote: »

May not amount to much but i've always been curious about the ET's final minutes.

Somewhere in the middle of the Pacific there are bits of 133 tanks sitting on the ocean floor.

Beeker

thecommander wrote: »

Somewhere in the middle of the Pacific there are bits of 133 tanks sitting on the ocean floor.

And one in the Atlantic:(

thecommander

Beeker wrote: »

And one in the Atlantic:(

They have that one I think.

Beeker

thecommander wrote: »

They have that one I think.

Just pieces of it. Most was never recovered.

thecommander

Just got an email from someone. Talk of slip to the 12th.

Beeker

thecommander wrote: »

Just got an email from someone. Talk of slip to the 12th.

OK keep us up to date if you can. Better not plan any days off yet:eek:

thecommander

Beeker wrote: »

OK keep us up to date if you can. Better not plan any days off yet:eek:

Pinch of salt and all that. But usually turn out to be true.

KazDub

Does anyone know when the draw will take place for launch tickets? I registered for them, but can't see mention of when they pick the names. Also, is there any 'other' way of picking up tickets if you're unsuccessful? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Beeker

Spacevidcast...its going to be epic!:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvOG3jWsscU

thecommander

KazDub wrote: »

Also, is there any 'other' way of picking up tickets if you're unsuccessful? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Ebay, Nasaspaceflight.com, Gator or Dolphin Tours.

Beeker

Fueling test to be carried out on Wednesday to check the tank "stringers" following the problems with the tank on STS-133.

thecommander

This is the last of the superlight tanks, it was originally due to fly with ET-122 but was swapped with Endeavor. Made from the same material that STS-133 tank was made from, so being extra careful with stringer/tanking test.

Beeker

thecommander wrote: »

This is the last of the superlight tanks, it was originally due to fly with ET-122 but was swapped with Endeavor. Made from the same material that STS-133 tank was made from, so being extra careful with stringer/tanking test.

Oh yeah! do it right, make the last one the charm!

clln

I thought i had heard every reason why the Shuttle fleet should not be retired,from Sally Rides very sensible two per year proposal,American face saving, to some really bizzare ones...........but Chris Kraft former director of JSC has topped them all,bit late in the day but BINGO the answer was fear!!!,now why did nobody think of this to concentrate minds?
His plan could delay 135 by quite a bit though!:)
i will mind my head on the way out.......

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_why_we_must_save_the_space_shuttle_if_the_intl_space_station_is_disabled_we_need.html

Beeker

clln wrote: »

I thought i had heard every reason why the Shuttle fleet should not be retired,from Sally Rides very sensible two per year proposal,American face saving, to some really bizzare ones...........but Chris Kraft former director of JSC has topped them all,bit late in the day but BINGO the answer was fear!!!,now why did nobody think of this to concentrate minds?
His plan could delay 135 by quite a bit though!:)
i will mind my head on the way out.......

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_why_we_must_save_the_space_shuttle_if_the_intl_space_station_is_disabled_we_need.html

A bit late in the day ok! Go on Chris!!:pac:

Beeker

Looks like as feared the 135 landing will be in the dark if the flight goes on time July 8th. The landing is due on July 20 at 05:28 in Florida and the sunrise as far as I can tell is at 06:38. Shame really as it would be nice to see Atlantis land in the Sunshine.
Maybe they might waive off the landing for one orbit:)

lord lucan

Beeker wrote: »

Looks like as feared the 135 landing will be in the dark if the flight goes on time July 8th. The landing is due on July 20 at 05:28 in Florida and the sunrise as far as I can tell is at 06:38. Shame really as it would be nice to see Atlantis land in the Sunshine.
Maybe they might waive off the landing for one orbit:)

*******Runs off to acquire the Chinese Governments weather changing equipment******

lord lucan

clln wrote: »

I thought i had heard every reason why the Shuttle fleet should not be retired,from Sally Rides very sensible two per year proposal,American face saving, to some really bizzare ones...........but Chris Kraft former director of JSC has topped them all,bit late in the day but BINGO the answer was fear!!!,now why did nobody think of this to concentrate minds?
His plan could delay 135 by quite a bit though!:)
i will mind my head on the way out.......

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_why_we_must_save_the_space_shuttle_if_the_intl_space_station_is_disabled_we_need.html

Ah,the NY Daily News,the Daily Mail of the US. That's 2 minutes of my life i'll never get back.:(

Beeker

While we await the final launch I can't help laughing at this video of the 118 launch. The two women are having a right laugh at the camera and giving the thumbs up to whoever is due to watch the video. "look at us at a Shuttle launch":)They obviously had no idea how loud and amazing it would become as is obvious from their body language as the shuttle accelerates away and they step back with a look of shock, one even blesses herself:)

Great stuff:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-GivwKsBJY

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

Ah,the NY Daily News,the Daily Mail of the US. That's 2 minutes of my life i'll never get back.:(

:D:D

lord lucan

Beeker wrote: »

While we await the final launch I can't help laughing at this video of the 118 launch. The two women are having a right laugh at the camera and giving the thumbs up to whoever is due to watch the video. "look at us at a Shuttle launch":)They obviously had no idea how loud and amazing it would become as is obvious from their body language as the shuttle accelerates away and they step back with a look of shock, one even blesses herself:)

Great stuff:D

At least they looking at the right pad!:pac::pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4097LDOvsg

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

At least they looking at the right pad!:pac::pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4097LDOvsg

:D

clln

lord lucan wrote: »

At least they looking at the right pad!:pac::pac:

Why is it a pair of saps always get to see a launch Beeker and Lord Lucan?:pac::pac:

lord lucan

clln wrote: »

Why is it a pair of saps always get to see a launch Beeker and Lord Lucan?:pac::pac:

:D:D

clln

lord lucan wrote: »

:D:D

At least you got it LL,Beeker being a Culchie is still trying to figure it out!

lord lucan

clln wrote: »

At least you got it LL,Beeker being a Culchie is still trying to figure it out!

I was going to post the t-shirt pic but didn't want to be cruel.:D