STS-119

[Zoe]

Launch is now no longer NET 27 February, delay is unknown at this time.

 

[tblaxland]

Discovery to have flow control valves swapped out again

NASA managers today ordered engineers to replace suspect hydrogen flow control valves aboard the shuttle Discovery with valves that have less flight time in a bid to reduce the chances of in-flight cracks that could lead to debris in a pressurization line. If ongoing tests and higher fidelity computer models continue to show positive results, Discovery could be cleared for a delayed launch attempt by around March 12

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts119/090224update/


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

The latest target for STS-119 is a short launch window, opening March 12, following a meeting between shuttle managers that confirmed the forward plan of replacing Discovery’s three Flow Control Valves (FCVs).
...
“Key meetings next week include a SICB [Systems Integration Control Board] on 3/2, PRCB on 3/4 [Program Requirements Control Board], FRR [Flight Readiness Review] on 3/6 with a target launch of 3/12,”
...
Also noted is the plan to add protection to the most sensitive parts of Discovery’s Main Propulsion System (MPS) lines...“Doubler plates will be installed on two 90 elbows in each line to strengthen them in case debris is liberated from a flow control valve.”

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/02/sts-119-targeting-march-12-pending-prcb-and-frr-meetings/

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA STS-119 FCV fact sheet (PDF):
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/313985main_Flow_Valve_Fact.pdf

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Current planned STS-119 NET (No Earlier Than) launch date:

EDT: Thu 12 Mar 2009 @ 08.54pm

GMT/UTC: Fri 13th Mar 2009 @ 00.54am

Looks like it'll be an all night job for us Brits (well, at least we won't be at work, and at least the next day is Saturday!)
And at least it isn't launching at 13:13! That would be asking for bad luck!
(Actually, I don't believe in luck)

However, there is also talk of a new launch date being considered:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/03/sts-119-nasa-assess-launch-dates-to-march-17/

 

[tblaxland]

PRCB meeting went well, FRR may approve March 11 launch:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009...ortunity-to-approve-march-launch-for-sts-119/

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

For planning purposes, launch is now targeted for NET:

EST: Wed Mar 11 @ 09.20pm

GMT/UTC: Thu Mar 12 @ 01.20am

 

[Zoe]

For planning purposes, launch is now targeted for NET:

EST: Wed Mar 11 @ 09.20pm

GMT/UTC: Thu Mar 12 @ 01.20am

Not quite, it's 9:20 PM EDT.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Oops - sorry - my mistake.

I accidentally said EST (Eastern Standard Time), not EDT (Eastern Daylight Time).

EST = GMT - 5 hrs
EDT = GMT - 4 hrs

----
So EDT & GMT launch times are still the same, as I calculated the time from EDT originally, although I wrote EST by mistake

 

[DaveS]

With Discovery set for liftoff on March 11 at 9:20 p.m. EDT, the countdown clock will begin at the T-43 hour mark at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Earlier the same day, Discovery's astronauts are scheduled fly from their home base in Houston, arriving mid-afternoon in Florida.

Discovery's launch date was announced following Friday's Flight Readiness Review. During the meeting, top NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle's equipment, support systems and procedures are ready for flight.

At post-readiness review news conference on Friday, Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, said that they completed a very thorough review. "The team came through, worked hard and was efficient. It's time now to step back and think of everything else we need to watch before launch on the 11th. There's no better team than this one and I thank them for putting the right analysis together."

On the resolution of the shuttle's flow control valve issue, John Shannon, Space Shuttle Program manager said, "This is one of those problems requiring a lot of work. It was a little premature before today. The signs were there that we were safe, but the teams went off and came up with definitive data to prove it."

Mike Leinbach, Space Shuttle launch director, said that from a processing standpoint, the shuttle is in good shape. "It feels good to be here with a firm launch date. I saw a lot of people after the meeting and the mood is really upbeat," he added.

 

[Zoe]

Pre-launch events (all times Eastern):

Launch-3 Days - Sunday, March 8

Approximately 2:45 p.m. - STS-119 crew arrival

7 p.m. - Launch countdown begins (not on NASA TV)

Launch-2 Days - Monday, March 9

11 a.m. (no earlier than) - Prelaunch News Conference
- Mike Moses, chair, Mission Management Team
- Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director
- Kuniaki Shiraki, JAXA’s executive director of Human Space Systems and Utilization Mission Directorate
- Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

1 p.m. - Ares I-X Media Event (not on NASA TV)

Launch-1 Day - Tuesday, March 10

10 a.m. - Countdown Status Briefing
- Steve Payne, NASA test director
- Robby Ashley, STS-119 payload manager
- Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer

11 a.m. (tentative) - JAXA media event (not on NASA TV)
- Jon Cowart, Ares I-X deputy mission manager
- Vince Bilardo, Ares I-X upper stage manager
- Jonathan Cruz, Ares I-X crew module and launch abort system manager

11:30 a.m. - STS-119 webcast on NASA TV

Launch Day - Wednesday, March 11

1 a.m. - Rotating Service Structure moves into position

12:05 p.m. - Fueling begins (not on NASA TV)

4 p.m. - Live launch commentary begins

Crew Activities: (times may vary slightly)
11 a.m. -- Crew wakes up (not on NASA TV)
4:50 p.m. -- Weather briefing (commander, pilot and mission specialist 2) (not on NASA TV)
5 p.m. -- Astronauts don flight suits
5:30 p.m. -- Depart for launch pad
6 p.m. -- Arrive at White Room and begin ingress
7:05 p.m. -- Close crew hatch

9:20 p.m. -- Launch

 

[DaveS]

The countdown has started! Earlier today the SRBs and the aft engine compartment of Discovery were closed-out for flight and the crew arrived at the SLF.

The near-future work includes preparing the orbiter for loading of the cryogenic reactants for the fuel cells and the actual loading of the reactants.

 

[RAF92_Moser]

I'm gonna fly down to KDAB and go watch the launch. Probably the only time in my life where I have the opportunity to see it.

 

[Zoe]

T-11 hours and holding. Countdown will hold for 13 hours 55 minutes.
RSS retraction is scheduled for 1 AM EDT.
Countdown resumes at 4:55 AM EDT.
Tanking is due to begin at 11:55 AM EDT.

 

[Kyle]

RSS Retract should happen tonight, working a minor issue, about it.
Looks like tomorrow night we'll have a Launch!
As far as weather is concerned, <10% chance of no go, and should stay that way for Thursday - Saturday.
Very warm out at the cape today and tomorrow. Certainly the warmest one since STS-124. 85* Currently at Kennedy.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

STS-119 NASA TV schedule now available to download:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html


The times of the main events dont look so bad for us Brits at least. Here's a basic summary of the main events in GMT/UTC:

. Discovery docking to ISS: Fri Mar 13 @ 10.37pm (ooh no - Fri 13th!!!)

. Discovery - ISS hatch opening: Sat Mar 14 @ 12.15am (at least its a Saturday, so no work in the morning)

. SSRMS grapple & unberth of P6 Truss: Sat Mar 14 @ 04.55pm

. EVA-1 begins: Sun Mar 15 @ 06.50pm

. P6 installation on P5 truss: Sun Mar 15 @ 07.40pm

. EVA-2 begins: Tue Mar 17 @ 06.20pm

. S6 solar array 1B deploy (one bay): Wed Mar 18 @ 09.10pm

. S6 solar array 3B deploy (one bay): Wed Mar 18 @ 10.20pm

. EVA-3 begins: Thu Mar 19 @ 05.20pm

. EVA-4 begins: Sat Mar 21 @ 04.50pm

. Discovery - ISS hatch closure: Sun Mar 22 @ 11.10pm

. Discovery - ISS undocking: Mon Mar 23 @ 02.23pm

. Discovery landing: Wed Mar 25 @ 07.27pm (daylight landing @ KSC)

If the current schedule doesn't change, I will be able to see every single event listed above :yes: :thumbup: :lol:

 

[Zoe]

T-10 hours and counting. The RSS retraction was slightly delayed due to a vibration issue but was complete by 1:55 AM EDT. The count was picked from up from T-11 hours on time at 4:55 AM EDT and will now continue to the next planned hold at T-6 hours.

---------- Post added at 01:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 AM ----------

T-6 hours and holding. Countdown will hold for 2 hours. Tanking is due to begin when the count picks up at 11:55 AM EDT.

---------- Post added at 03:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:54 PM ----------

T-6 hours and counting. Go for tanking.

---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:55 PM ----------

LH2 chilldown underway.

---------- Post added at 04:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------

LH2 now in slowfill.

---------- Post added at 05:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:28 PM ----------

Now in fastfill.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Yesterday's crew suit-up & final fit-check in the O&C (Operations & Checkout) room...

 

[Zoe]

Booster console is currently working a LH2 leak issue.

---------- Post added at 06:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 PM ----------

LH2 tanking stopped, LOX tanking continuing.

---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:29 PM ----------

SCRUB!

---------- Post added at 06:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 PM ----------

LH2 drain underway

---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:35 PM ----------

24 hour scrub turnaround, next launch attempt 8:54:27 p.m. EDT on March 12.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

New launch times for STS-119:

EDT: Thu 12 Mar @ 08.54pm

GMT/UTC: Fri 13 Mar @ 12.54am

 

[Zoe]

MMT meeting called for 5 PM EDT.