ATLANTIS UPDATES

[Chipstone306]

Mission managers and engineers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are evaluating an issue with fuel sensors in the liquid hydrogen tank before determining what step to take next. The team is finalizing a plan to present to space shuttle program management on Tuesday. Space shuttle Atlantis is targeted for launch no earlier than Jan. 2, 2008, on mission STS-122.

The seven astronauts who are to fly aboard Atlantis returned to Houston and will continue training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in preparation for the mission to the International Space Station.

The main objective of Atlantis' 11-day mission is to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments.

 

[Chipstone306]

atlantis updates

NASA's Space Shuttle Program is working with two teams of engineers to evaluate issues that arose with the engine cutoff sensor system during the launch countdown for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-122 mission.

One of the engineering investigation teams has been assigned to analyze the sensor system on Atlantis at the launch pad, and the other will focus on an in-depth investigation and includes engineers from throughout the agency.

A centerpiece of the evaluation is scheduled for Tuesday when technicians will fill Atlantis’ external fuel tank with liquid hydrogen and watch how the fuel sensors behave. Special instruments will be used to relay pulses through the wiring of the sensor system to pinpoint the location of the problem.

Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale said the space agency will decide after the test the best way to proceed with the launch of Atlantis.

"We're going to go where the data leads us to go," Hale said.

The next launch opportunity for the STS-122 mission is no earlier than Jan. 2, 2008, at 5:41 a.m. EST.

 

[apollo13]

Um..January 10th now....

 

[Chipstone306]

Testing Instruments Installed for Tank Test

Image above: Space shuttle Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Cheryl Mansfield
View Hi-res Image

Dec. 14
Engineers and technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center continue preparations to evaluate the hydrogen fuel sensor system on space shuttle Atlantis' external fuel tank during a procedure next week.

Working at Launch Pad 39A where Atlantis remains pointed to space, workers attached wiring to the cables that lead from the aft compartment of Atlantis to the external tank's engine cutoff sensor system.

Engineers will use the special instruments next Tuesday to send electrical pulses into the wiring and look for indications that will show the location of the issue that caused the sensors to return false readings last week.

The failed readings showed up during launch countdowns on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9. Launch controllers postponed the liftoff on both occasions to find out the problem and develop solutions.

Evaluations of the instruments themselves are also under way to show technicians what a normal reading on the external tank looks like. Those readings will be compared to the results from the test Tuesday during which the tank attached to Atlantis will be filled with super-cold liquid hydrogen.

NASA is targeting Jan. 10 as the next possible launch opportunity for Atlantis on mission STS-122. Atlantis will carry the European-built Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.

 

[Chipstone306]

TANK TESTS COMPLETE

Tanking Test Complete

Image above: A small crew of workers set up equipment inside the mobile launch platform at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
View Hi-res Image

Dec. 18 - 5:45 p.m.
After Tuesday's test of Atlantis' external fuel tank, NASA's Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale said he was pleased with the data captured from the special equipment wired into the tank's sensor system.

Speaking from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Hale said with the information gleaned from the test "sets us on the right path to correct this problem so we can return this important safety system to operational capability so we can fly again."

According to Hale the test confirmed the sensors themselves are not the problem, and the preliminary information actually points to a section of wiring known as a "feed-through" connector.

The data collected Tuesday will continue to be analyzed and presented to program managers Wednesday with recommendations on how to proceed.

Currently, Atlantis is targeted to launch no earlier than Jan. 10, 2008.

 

[Chipstone306]

Some Tank Foam to be Removed

Image above: Workers look at the outside of the external tank on space shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
View Hi-res Image

Dec. 19
Space shuttle program managers approved a plan Thursday to prepare to remove foam around a connector on the external fuel tank of space shuttle Atlantis. The decision was based on analysis of the data from a thorough test of the fuel level sensor system that was conducted Tuesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale said after the test that the instruments isolated an issue in the fuel sensor system to a connector on the external tank. Engineers will continue evaluating the data. Managers are scheduled to convene again Dec. 27 to discuss the issue and potential remedies.

The fuel sensor system relayed false readings during two launch countdowns for Atlantis on mission STS-122.

The next launch opportunity for Atlantis is no earlier than Jan. 10, 2008.

 

[Chipstone306]

Foam removal operations are scheduled to be completed over the weekend at NASA's Kennedy Space Center as part of the plan to remedy failed readings on space shuttle Atlantis' fuel sensor system. The foam is being removed from a small section of Atlantis' external fuel tank so technicians can get to a pass-through electrical connector that testing pinpointed as the likely source of the sensor issue.

NASA mission managers will meet on Dec. 27 to further discuss plans to fix the fuel sensor system that postponed two launch attempts for mission STS-122 in early December.

The next opportunity to launch Atlantis will occur no earlier than Jan. 10.

 

[Chipstone306]

More Bad News....

NASA says the space shuttle Atlantis' mission to the International Space Station likely will be pushed back a few more days or weeks as engineers study problems with electrical connectors in the spaceship's external fuel tank.
Failures of shuttle fuel gauges - part of a critical safety system -- forced back-to-back launch delays earlier this month.
The space agency has been struggling with sporadic fuel gauge problems for two years, ever since flights resumed following the 2003 Columbia tragedy.
The gauges prevent the shuttle's main engines from running on an empty tank, which could be catastrophic.
NASA is facing a 2010 deadline for completing the space station and retiring the shuttles.
The agency had been aiming for a Jan. 10 liftoff of Atlantis with a European lab for the space station.
But shuttle program manager Wayne Hale indicated last week that the launch likely would be delayed after a test pointed to a bad connector.
On Thursday, Hale said it would probably take a few days or weeks to pinpoint and solve the problem. But he said it was too soon to announce a new target launch date because so much work still has to be done.
"At this point, schedule is not paramount in my mind," he said. "It's going to take as long as it takes ... days to perhaps a couple weeks. We have to get our hands around exactly what work needs to be done."
Last week's fuel tank test indicated open circuits in the connector that passes through the wall of the fuel tank, linking wiring between the gauges in the tank and Atlantis.
Senior NASA managers decided Thursday to remove a plug and electrical connector from the tank and send it to an Alabama testing facility to be studied and repaired, Hale said.
At this point, it appears all the work can be done while Atlantis is on the launch pad, he added.

 

[Chipstone306]

update

Shuttle Managers to Discuss STS-122 Mission

Image above: Workers at Launch Pad 39A wrap an electrical connector before it is sent to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The connector was removed from the external tank of space shuttle Atlantis. Fuel sensor system issues postponed two launch attempts for STS-122 in December. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton
View Hi-res Image

Jan. 2

Space shuttle managers will meet Thursday to evaluate test results to date from analysis of the electrical connector suspected of causing issues in space shuttle Atlantis' fuel sensor system. The managers will also discuss plans to prepare the tank and Atlantis for launch.

The sensor system in Atlantis' external tank prompted two postponements during launch attempts last month for the STS-122 mission to the International Space Station.

Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida removed the suspect electrical connector from space shuttle Atlantis' external tank early Sunday and shipped it to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., for testing.

A replacement connector is being modified, and approval for its installation will be discussed at tomorrow's meeting. If approval is received, the installation will take place over the next few days.

NASA Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale will talk about the program meeting with news media representatives during a teleconference Thursday afternoon. The session will begin at 5 p.m. EST. Live audio of the event will be streamed online at:

 

[Chipstone306]

Jan. 3

NASA flight control teams and ground operations teams have been requested to protect for a Jan. 24th launch date for Space Shuttle Atlantis. As work progresses, that date will be modified as required, says John Shannon, deputy manager for the Space Shuttle Program. The schedule depends on test results and modifications to a fuel sensor system connector on the external fuel tank Atlantis will use for launch on its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. Other launch opportunities could come between Jan. 24th and the first week of February.

The connector suspected of prompting false readings during two previous launch attempts is undergoing intensive testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Engineers also will test potential modifications to the connector to certify it for flight. Marshall has a test facility that allows the connector to be subjected to the same conditions it saw during the earlier launch attempts.

The modification and testing plans were discussed along with the launch preparation schedule during a meeting of Space Shuttle Program managers Thursday.

Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will modify a replacement connector for the one that was removed. Metal pins inside the connector will be soldered to the socket, Shannon explained. The new connector is scheduled to be in place by Jan. 10.

"We're fairly confident that if the problem is where we think it is, that this will solve that," Shannon said.

Atlantis remains at the launch pad as the agency studies ways to modify the connector. The shuttle will carry the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory to the space station during the STS-122 mission.

 

[Chipstone306]

Update

Space Shuttle Work Out Sensor System Plan

Image above: A technician solders pins for the replacement feed-through connector that will be installed on the external tank of space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA flight control teams and ground operations teams have been requested to protect for a Jan. 24th launch date for Space Shuttle Atlantis. As work progresses, that date will be modified as required, says John Shannon, deputy manager for the Space Shuttle Program. The schedule depends on test results and modifications to a fuel sensor system connector on the external fuel tank Atlantis will use for launch on its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. Other launch opportunities could come between Jan. 24th and the first week of February.

The connector suspected of prompting false readings during two previous launch attempts is undergoing intensive testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Engineers also will test potential modifications to the connector to certify it for flight. Marshall has a test facility that allows the connector to be subjected to the same conditions it saw during the earlier launch attempts.

The modification and testing plans were discussed along with the launch preparation schedule during a meeting of Space Shuttle Program managers Thursday.

Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will modify a replacement connector for the one that was removed. Metal pins inside the connector will be soldered to the socket, Shannon explained. The new connector is scheduled to be in place by Jan. 10.

"We're fairly confident that if the problem is where we think it is, that this will solve that," Shannon said.

Atlantis remains at the launch pad as the agency studies ways to modify the connector. The shuttle will carry the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory to the space station during the STS-122 mission.

 

[Chipstone306]

Workers are finished soldering the pass-through connector as work continues to make space shuttle Atlantis ready for launch. The connector is undergoing testing and will be waterproofed before being installed on the external fuel tank for Atlantis' STS-122 mission.

A series of false readings from the fuel sensor system was traced to the pass-through connector during two previous launch attempts last month and a test of the external tank. The connector is on the external tank and allows sensors, called engine cutoff sensors, inside the tank to send data to the computers that control the space shuttle's three main engines.

The connector on the external tank to be used by space shuttle Endeavour for its STS-123 mission also will be examined. Crews at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are removing a section of foam on that tank in preparation for taking out the connector.

 

[Chipstone306]

Launch Upda

Launch Time is going to be 8:32 pm est Gonna Be a Night Launch! Great:lol:

 

[Chipstone306]

Sorry guys...more bad news for launch date...

NASA Targets Feb. 7 for Launch

Image above: On Launch Pad 39A, Lockheed Martin engineer Ray Clark splices wires between space shuttle Atlantis' external tank and the engine cutoff, or ECO, sensor system. The replacement feed-through connector in the ECO sensor system will be installed later. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton
View Hi-res Image

Jan. 11

NASA Friday announced Feb. 7 as the target launch date for shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission to the International Space Station and mid-March for the launch of Endeavour on STS-123. Liftoff of Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., will be at 2:47 p.m. EST.

A decision by the Russian Federal Space Agency to move up its Progress launch from Feb. 7 to Feb. 5 enables both STS-122 and STS-123 to launch before the next Russian Soyuz mission in early April. This allows astronauts assigned to the space station's Expedition 16 crew to complete the tasks they have trained for, including support of the launch and docking of Jules Verne, the first European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle. Targeting Feb. 7 also allows time to complete modifications to the engine cutoff sensor system that postponed two shuttle launch attempts in December.

Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the station is to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in life, physical, and materials science, Earth observation and solar physics.

Shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will deliver Kibo, the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's laboratory module, and Dextre, Canada's new robotics system to the space station.

NASA managers will meet in the coming weeks to address the schedule of remaining shuttle flights beyond STS-123.

 

[Chipstone306]

Connector Installed

Image above: A technician with Lockheed Martin attaches the replacement feed-through connector on space shuttle Atlantis' external tank. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton
› View Hi-res Image

Jan. 14 - 12:30 p.m. EST
Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida have completed the installation of the replacement feed-through connector in the engine cutoff sensor system to the internal connector. The feed-through connector passes the wires from the inside of the tank to the outside.

The pins in the replacement connector have been skillfully soldered to create a connection that allows sensors inside the tank to send signals to the computers onboard Atlantis.

The work is being done on Launch Pad 39A in anticipation of a launch date for mission STS-122 now targeted for Feb. 7 at 2:47 p.m. EST.

Atlantis' main objective during its STS-122 mission to the Internaltional Space Station is to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of experiments in life, physical, and materials science, Earth observation and solar physics.

Shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will deliver Kibo, the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's laboratory module, and Dextre, Canada's new robotics system to the space station. The launch of Endeavour is targeted for mid-March.

NASA managers will meet in the coming weeks to address the schedule of remaining shuttle flights beyond STS-123.

 

[Chipstone306]

For anyone wanting more information on the sensor location and design here are some links! Enjoy

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122488main_ECO_sensors.jpg
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122586main_ECO_charts1.JPG
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122589main_ECO_charts4.JPG

and my favourite
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/122590main_ECO_charts5.JPG

take note that number 15 and 16 are the problem areas

 

[Chipstone306]

Atlantis updates

Workers Reapplying Tank Foam

Image above: A worker trims foam insulation before it is installed on the external tank in preparation for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
View Hi-Res Image

Jan. 16
Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are reapplying insulating foam to the external fuel tank space shuttle Atlantis will use for STS-122 mission. The foam was removed from a small portion of the tank to allow access to a faulty engine cutoff sensor system electrical connector. The external connector has been replaced. Work on the foam is expected to continue through the week.

Workers are also removing test equipment that was installed in Atlantis' aft compartment and in the mobile launch platform the shuttle is standing on. The equipment helped engineers track down the likely source of the problem in the shuttle's engine cutoff sensor system. The test gear will not be used leading up to launch.

Later this week, technicians will thoroughly test the sensor system that runs from inside the bottom of the external tank to Atlantis' engine compartment to the shuttle's flight deck computers.

Final standard launch preparations will begin Jan. 29 on a schedule that would support Atlantis lifting off on Feb. 7 at 2:45 p.m. EST.

 

[tblaxland]

Thanks for the updates! I find it hard to figure out what I am looking at in that picture. Is that the feed-through connector dead centre?

 

[Chipstone306]

Which pic are you talking about?

 

[Chipstone306]

Atlantis updates

Foam Work, Launch Preps Continue

Image above: A worker trims foam insulation before it is installed on the external tank in preparation for the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
View Hi-Res Image

Jan. 17
With a replacement external connector installed on space shuttle Atlantis' external tank, workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center continue reapplying foam insulation to that portion of the tank as the agency targets a Feb. 7 launch date for mission STS-122.

All the work associated with replacing the connector and insulation is expected to be finished on Jan. 24. Meanwhile, standard launch preparations are under way to ready the spacecraft for flight.

The European-built Columbus laboratory remains safely tucked inside the payload bay of Atlantis. The spacecraft and its crew of NASA and European Space Agency astronauts is to install the space-based lab on the International Space Station, where it will provide a base for research and experiments into the space and weightless environment.