ER-004 mission

[fausto]

ER-004 is the fifth Spaceplane Eridanus mission, the fourth crewed. Main misson goal is Caravaggio module get back to Earth after 5 months docked to ISS . Secondary goal are FOIsat 2 micro satellite release iand the new nose cone open system test.
Simulation will offer new great reflection graphic skills!

Mission Specifications:

Launcher: Quasar 220-E
Crew: 6
Launch Base: Capo Passero - ASVI Pad Q B
Payload: MPEM "Caravaggio" (5400 kg) (reentry), FOIsat2
Vehicle mass at launch: 66000 kg
Mission lenght: 9 days
ISS docking: Tuesday, March 5 at 22:00 - 22:30 UTC
Landing: Capo Passero ASVI Monday, March 11 at 09:00 - 09:30 UTC
LAUNCH: Sunday, March 3rd at 09:15:00 UTC
Launch window: 3 minutes

In case of scrub, subsequent launch window opens Sunday March 10 at 10:00 UTC

 

[fausto]

Yesterday morning space plane Eridanus was rolled out to its launch site waiting for the fifth operational mission scheduled for Sunday. The operation was performed very well as usual by the "Giano" crawler. Please note the new look of liquid rocket boosters, re designed by the chief designer Andrew (FOI addon developer) Weather in Sicily for the weekend should should be good, 85 per cent GO. We're keeping track of the current activity of Etna volcano, which could interfere with landing scheduled for March 11. Prudently, reentry path has been modified to a south-north landing in order to avoid the volcano flyover.

 

[fausto]

Live coverage from Capo Passero base has started: Countdown sequence starts at 21:00 UTC

http://www.livestream.com/orbiterlivemissions

---------- Post added 03-03-13 at 09:07 AM ---------- Previous post was 03-02-13 at 09:45 PM ----------

T - 1 hour

---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------

Launch failure!
A MECO failure caused an higher orbit than expected.
Emergency reentry scheduled beetween 18 and 18:30 UTC at Edwards Air Force Base

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 AM ----------

Emercency reentry confirmed and scheduled for 18:40 UTC at Edwards air force base.
Live coverage:

http://www.livestream.com/orbiterlivemissions

---------- Post added at 06:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 PM ----------

Deorbit burn now!

 

[Scav]

Nice save, even with the A/V downlink failure during the TAEM phase. :thumbup:

For those who don't speak Italian, can I assume manual control of the final phase of the mission was accomplished, and the Eridanus landed safely?

 

[fausto]

Today at 20:15 UTC new broadcast with ER-004 reentry simulation using AutoFCS with redefined settings.

Simulation will start 54 minutes before touchdown, 150 km over the surface

http://www.livestream.com/channels/studio?autoLogin=true&channelName=orbiterlivemissions

 

[Interceptor]

Thats great news Fausto,about AUTOFCS.