Updates STS-134 Updates

n122vu · May 4, 2011

Well, there it is. The part that robbed me of my one chance to see a shuttle launch. It's like a frickin' Greek tragedy lol.

agentgonzo · May 4, 2011

n122vu said:
...robbed me of my one chance to see a shuttle launch...

You definitely weren't the first, and you (even at this late stage) won't be the last. I've never seen one and never will. I do, however, have cookies.

orb · May 5, 2011

NASASpaceflight: STS-134: Endeavour receives her new LCA – Blown driver examined

Spaceflight Now:

Failure analysis indicates possible external short circuit
Panoramic views of Endeavour countdown (PHOTO GALLERY)
Technicians remove faulty avionics box from space shuttle Endeavour (PHOTO GALLERY)

CBS News Space: Failure analysis indicates possible external short circuit:

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL--Engineers inspecting a suspect electrical distribution box removed from the shuttle Endeavour after a launch scrub last week have found blown internal fusing that could be the result of an external, yet-to-be-identified short circuit somewhere in the ship's complex electrical system, officials said Wednesday. But they cautioned that troubleshooting is not yet complete and a problem with the box itself has not yet been ruled out.

{...}

Donamy · May 5, 2011

Doesn't Discovery have one, they could use?

DaveS · May 5, 2011

Donamy said:
Doesn't Discovery have one, they could use?

Yes, but they have a spare one installed in Endeavour right now and it's undergoing retests right now.

Orbinaut Pete · May 5, 2011

Looking more like May 12th now.

NASASpaceflight via Twitter said:
STS-134 UPDATE: Latest NET is May 12 (per KSC teams, not MOD etc). Still dependant on troubleshooting: http://tinyurl.com/3mq4htl

Orbinaut Pete · May 6, 2011

Oh my, this date just keeps slipping and slipping. Now looking like NET May 16.

NASASpaceflight via Twitter said:
STS-134 UPDATE: Program meeting to come, so not official, but we're up to NET May 16 due to work schedule: http://tinyurl.com/65gpxnf

DaveS · May 6, 2011

Orbinaut Pete said:
Oh my, this date just keeps slipping and slipping. Now looking like NET May 16.

Yes, but you have to take in account the 3-days needed for the actual countdown. If they want to launch on the 16th, the countdown needs to start sometime around 8am EDT on Friday May 13, in a week from now.

Cosmic Penguin · May 6, 2011

Orbinaut Pete said:
Oh my, this date just keeps slipping and slipping. Now looking like NET May 16.

If Endeavour is launched on the 16th, will it be the first time ISS crew members leave the station while a shuttle is docked to the ISS?

Orbinaut Pete · May 6, 2011

New official launch & landing times:

Launch:
Monday 16th May 2011 at 8:56:21 AM EDT / 12:56:21 PM GMT.

Landing:
Wednesday 1st June 2011 at 2:30 AM EDT / 6:30 AM GMT.

------------------------------

@Galactic Penguin SST: Yes, it would.

diogom · May 6, 2011

And we would finally have the Soyuz fly around. :thumbup:
Once more, NASA ruins my plans to watch the launch live (I know, I know, not their fault :tiphat

Orbinaut Pete · May 6, 2011

diogom said:
And we would finally have the Soyuz fly around. :thumbup:

That isn't necessarily the case. Although the Soyuz TMA-20 undocking may occur during Endeavour's docked mission, there has been no confirmation from NASA that a Soyuz flyabout would take place. Maybe someone will ask the question in today's press conference. We can hope, of course.

HAL9001 · May 6, 2011

shuttle-launch on Tuesday!
:hailprobe:

:lol:

diogom · May 6, 2011

Even withouth the fly around, they should take pics. There probably won't be another oppurtunity.

halcyon · May 9, 2011

NASA said:
NASA Managers Meet to Discuss Endeavour's Launch
Mon, 09 May 2011 08:37:35 AM EDT

NASA managers have retargeted space shuttle Endeavour's launch to no earlier than Monday, May 16. After a meeting on Friday, they also extended the length of Endeavour's STS-134 mission to the International Space Station from 14 to 16 days. If Endeavour launches on May 16, liftoff would be at 8:56 a.m. EDT.

At 3 p.m. today, NASA Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach will hold a news conference at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to discuss the progress of repairs since Endeavour's launch postponement on April 29. The news conference will air live on NASA Television and online at www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Over the weekend, Kennedy technicians installed and checked out new wiring that bypasses the suspect electrical wiring connecting the switchbox to the heaters. They also ran the heaters for up to 30 minutes to verify they are working properly and complete retesting of the other systems powered by the switchbox. Teams will begin closing out Endeavour's aft compartment and will begin launch countdown preps today.

At least a week's worth wait at this point.
I have the feeling it will be pushed back further.

diogom · May 9, 2011

For me, a 5h delay would be very good. I'll be at home by then. :thumbup:

IronRain · May 9, 2011

I was just thinking the same :lol:

Orbinaut Pete · May 9, 2011

It was confirmed during today's press briefing that there will be NO Soyuz flyabout during STS-134, despite the fact that Soyuz TMA-20 will undock during Endeavour's docked period. This is because the crew will be strapped into the Soyuz Descent Module for re-entry, and so won't be able to go into the Orbital Module to take pictures through the window. A Soyuz flyabout continues to be analysed for STS-135.

IronRain · May 10, 2011

Meet STORRM

orb · May 10, 2011

Spaceflight Now:

Shuttle Endeavour repaired and ready for May 16 launch
STS-134 Launch Windows (UPDATED MAY 9)

CBS News Space: Shuttle Endeavour cleared for May 16 launch try

Here's the launch windows chart using UTC (24h) time:

[table="head"]

UTC DATE

|

WINDOW OPEN

|

IN PLANE

|

WINDOW CLOSE

|

DOCKING

2011-05-16|

12:56:08

|

12:56:26

|

13:01:26