STS-119

[Orbinaut Pete]

Hi all.

We're getting close to VAB rollover for STS-119 now, so I thought I would start a thread for it


OK, here's all the latest on STS-119:

Orbiter: Discovery

Target launch date: Feb 12, 2009 @ 7.28am EST (12.28pm GMT/UTC)

Target landing date: Feb 26, 2009 @ 2.14am EST (07.14am GMT/UTC)

Payloads: S6 truss segment, new set of batteries for the P6 truss

Crew:
Lee Archambault (2) - Commander
Dominic A. Antonelli (1) - Pilot
Joseph M. Acaba (1) - MS1
Steven R. Swanson (2) - MS2
Richard R. Arnold (1) - MS3
John L. Phillips (3) - MS4
Koichi Wakata [JAXA] (3) - MS5/ Ex. 18
Sandra Magnus (2) - Ex. 18/MS5

Duration: 14 days

ISS assembly flight: 15A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current status:

Space shuttle Discovery is near the end of it's processing in OPF bay 3. The payload bay doors are now closed. Hatch closure is set for Monday 15th Dec.
Final powerdown is now in operation. Rollout to the VAB is scheduled for 7th Jan 09. It will launch using ET-127, the tank that Atlantis was de-stacked from last month.

Discovery processing:

S6 truss:

 

[Zoe]

KSC Launch Personnel
Launch Director: Mike Leinbach
NTD: Steve Payne
OTC: Laurie Sally
PAO: Candrea Thomas

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

STS-119 crew portrait:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Tomorrow (Jan 7th) Discovery is set to rollover from OPF-3 to the VAB. The move will begin at 11.30am GMT/UTC.

Also tomorrow, the S6 truss will be moved into it's payload cannister in the SSPF. The cannister will be taken to Pad 39A on Jan 11th.

Discovery will rollout to Pad 39A Jan 14th.


-----Post Added-----


And the S6 truss has begun it's move into the payload cannister in the SSPF:

(NOTE: This image is a live webcam and will refresh every 60 seconds, so you can track it's progress)


-----Post Added-----


LOOK! THERE IT IS!!!

 

[Zoe]

Rollover has been delayed, now scheduled to have started at 16:00 GMT.


-----Post Added-----


Rollover further delayed due to weather.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Rollover should now have started at 7.00pm GMT

 

[Zoe]

Rollover now complete.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

 

[tblaxland]

An extract below from the hi-res version of that second picture Pete posted. Does that guy under the wing have a machine gun? Is that really necessary?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Yes, it is an assault rifle. The KSC have their own SWAT Police. All shuttle rollouts are escorted by an armed guard.

I don't really see the need for it myself either. I think it's an American thing

 

[tl8]

Yes, it is an assault rifle. The KSC have their own SWAT Police. All shuttle rollouts are escorted by an armed guard.

I don't really see the need for it myself either. I think it's an American thing

I would protect my multi million dollar glider( or brick) as well

 

[DaveS]

I would protect my multi million dollar glider( or brick) as well

It's a multi-billion dollar launch vehicle/spacecraft/aircraft.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Discovery now in HB4 in position to be mated to ET-127 (The tank STS-125 used before it was de-stacked)

(NOW LIVE ON NASA TV: STS-119 preflight briefing overview)

 

[DaveS]

Discovery now in HB4 in position to be mated to ET-127 (The tank STS-125 used before it was de-stacked)

Not HB4, HB3. HB2 and 4 are not assembly high bays. Only HB1 and 3 is.

 

[n72.75]

Yes, it is an assault rifle. The KSC have their own SWAT Police. All shuttle rollouts are escorted by an armed guard.

I don't really see the need for it myself either. I think it's an American thing

Let me put it this way: if you and all the other taxpayers of your nation buy a multi-billion dollor spacecraft(if you find one cheeper thats not soyuz tell me) wouldent you want your investent protected. Plus here in america we have crazy people that would do something as dumb as hurt the shuttle, so we need to protect it.

 

[Harmsway]

The first stage of Ares is being stacked in HB4. So HB4 is being used for assembly. However HB4 is the only bay that can't hold a MLP. Most of the MLP stands were removed some time ago.

High Bay 2 can hold a MLP with shuttle stack for 'Safe haven' but we can't asseble in there. Only HB 1 & 3 have Shuttle platforms. We have already begun removing platforms from HB3. Also HB 2 & 4 have the storage cells for External Tanks.

 

[Harmsway]

Rollover photo from our very own Harmsway

 

[steph]

Sheesh...lucky duide. I can't imagine how cool it would be to see the activity at the cape on a daily basis.

 

[Harmsway]

Sheesh...lucky duide. I can't imagine how cool it would be to see the activity at the cape on a daily basis.

Cool very cool. Down right cold and windy. In fact I believe that's why security was on the ground. We normally keep them in a choper overhead.

The whole move was delayed becuase we had to change a tire.

 

[DaveS]

Cool very cool. Down right cold and windy. In fact I believe that's why security was on the ground. We normally keep them in a choper overhead.

The whole move was delayed becuase we had to change a tire.

Yes, left outboard MLG tire after a leakcheck on it failed. Also discussed was a tire pressure monitor wire that was seen slack prior to closing the MLG wheel well door when on the OTS. Was found to have flown in this condition for the past two flights of OV-103, STS-124 and STS-120 and was accepted to fly as is on this flight.

By the time the technical discussions had wrapped out weather put a hold on the move as a line of rainbad moved through the area.