Shuttle Discovery rolled out to its Kennedy Space Center launch pad today, marking the start of a final push to the planned Oct. 23 launch of an International Space Station assembly mission.
The schedule, however, is extremely tight. NASA has but two days day of leeway, so any significant technical problems could force the agency to readjust the launch schedule.
"It's not a lot of extra time. But you have to take things one step at a time," said KSC spokesman Allard Beutel. "If something else crops up that we have to deal with, then we'll have to deal with it."
Discovery crept up onto its oceanfront launch pad about six hours after it emerged from the KSC Vehicle Assembly Building.
A tracked crawler-transporter built for the Apollo moon-landing project lifted the shuttle and its mobile launcher platform -- an 11-million-pound load -- and started moving at 6:47 a.m.
Top speed during the 3.5-mile trek: 0.9 mph.
The prime payload for the Discovery mission -- the U.S. Harmony module -- already is at the pad and will be installed in the shuttle's 60-foot-long cargo bay later this week. Equipped with six hatches, the cylindrical element will serve as a pressurized gateway to still-to-be-launched European and Japanese science laboratories.
Coming up next week: a launch-day dress rehearsal.
A crew led by veteran astronaut Pam Melroy, who will become only the second woman to command a shuttle mission, will board Discovery at the pad and take part in the final hours of a two-day practice countdown. The astronauts will arrive at KSC next Sunday and also will go through emergency training at the pad.
Shuttle program managers also will meet at KSC next week for a two-day technical review. A first, the review will provide a forum for managers to discuss technical issues before briefing top agency executives during a traditional flight readiness review.
A firm launch date for Discovery will be set at the latter review, which is scheduled to take place at KSC on Oct. 16.
NOTE ON IMAGES: Click to enlarge and save any of the NASA TV screen grabs, which show shuttle Discovery as it emerged from the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building and made its way down the historic crawlerway to launch pad 39A. The shuttle is being readied for a planned Oct. 23 launch to the International Space Station.
47 comments:
So how does the union care to answer their lies that this was all a ruse to scare folks to work? A ruse? Are you really saying your members are that dumb? Getting a headline is a great ruse!
Call me a scab or anything else you wish to, I'll be fine. You were greedy.
How in the world could a posse of drunk clowns mislead so many?
The new transport/crawler crew are hard working, ready to go workers. Great job!!
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me! I may lose people who "said" they were friends, but if they lied to me they wern't anyway. I will hold my head high and go to work now. You f--- me over and lied. It would be a BIG mistake to call me any name right now. I'll NEVER pay you a dime in dues again!!!!!!!!!
Be patient, we're almost there! We're going to get backpay too! Hang tight.
I'll tell ya this folks, that's a funny way to pull "a ruse" as the union calls it. All ya'll that think they're feedin' ya straight are idiots. You are getting replaced. For ol' Lew an Jonny to say "they were summoned" to DC, it really means they set down their gin and sped to the airport for help. They called your bluff. Wake up!!!
I'll work anywhere they want me for those wages. I've already applied and I'm hoping for the chance. USA, give me a shot, I know how to work!
Are others as stunned as I am regarding this union? What are they doing? Can someone explain why their offer was so bad? I mean the companys. I know I'm missing a bigger point somewhere. Just curious.
For those that missed it!
Various Space Shuttle Job Opportunities
Company: United Space Alliance
Description
Hundreds of Out-Of-This-World Opportunities
United Space Alliance, The Prime Space Shuttle Contractor, Invites Applicants
Pay: $19.71 - $27.08 + benefits or pay in lieu of benefits + overtime opportunities
Air Conditioning Technicians
Electronic Fabricators
Electronic Technicians
Elevator Technicians
Facility Services (Carpenters)
Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Mechanic Technicians
Electricians
Crane Operators (Fixed & Mobile)
Machinists
Mechanic Technicians
Painters
Potters & Molders (Cable assembler)
Pneumatics Technicians
Riggers – Scaffolding Erectors
Sheet Metal Workers
Welders
Requires: High School + 6 yrs directly related exp. OR AS Degree + 3 yrs closely related exp.
______________________________________________________________________
Logistics Positions: Pay + benefits or pay in lieu of benefits + overtime opportunities
Tractor Trailer Drivers * -. FL CDL Type A lic. needed $18.07 - $24.73
Straight Truck Drivers ** FL CDL Type B lic. needed $15.10 - $21.87
Packer and Craters** - Carpentry skills needed $15.10 - $21.87
Material – Expediters ** - Warehousing $15.10 - $21.87
* AS Degree + 2 yrs closely related experience.
** AS Degree + 1 yr closely related experience
A labor dispute exists with the union representing employees in these jobs. Employment in these jobs may be with USA or a USA subcontractor.
TO APPLY: Please complete an online application at:
http://www.unitedspacealliance.com. Once there click on Employment.
Source - Florida Today - Melbourne, FL
Requirements
Please refer to the Job Description to view the requirements for this job
Ohhh , we will miss your dues .
SCAB .
"The new transport/crawler crew are hard working, ready to go workers. Great job!!"
When they change every shoe , needle-gun and pressure wash every sprocket , replace broken sprockets and roller , then we can say they are hard workers . When they simply step into well maintained machines and walk along , they are not considered hard workers .
Hey Todd. Yes or No. Will you ever be doing a story on the Ares I vs. DIRECT debate?
From the beginning of this strike USA workers knew that USA wasn't going to back down. They made a good contract offer and that was that. Get back to work before there are no jobs left! Considering USA has done without 400+ workers for nearly 4 months now, being behind in some areas is understandable and to be expected. With the new workers to be hired they will catch up and won't even miss those strikers who chose to follow the union leaders down the wrong path...
It's called making choices. If you chose to strike, quit calling names out at those who choose to work. Just let your negotiating committe do their thing and shut up. They made a choice to tell you to strike. You made a choice and followed them.
They were summoned to DC!!! HaHaHaHaHa!!! That is funnnnyyy!! Maybe summoned by Senior Thugs to explain why the h--- they f---d this whole thing up. Strikers are being summoned to the strike lines for feedback. Less than 2 weeks left in strike fund, did they tell you that? Just check in here now an then for info your own truthful leaders won't tell you. The ad was in the paper right? Well here's one for you....talks are over.
FRED HAS ALL THE FACTS? FRED'S
UP DATEDS FOOLED EVERYONE EVEN FRED.
FRED SAYS WE HAVE BEEN SUMMONED TO THE 'UN' TO DISCUSS THE STRIKE.
STAY STRONG BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
WE HAVE USA ON THE ROCKS????????
THEY HAVE TOO HIRE FROM THE STREET.
FRED WHERE IS YOUR BACK UP PLAN, I AM SURE YOU HAD ONE WHEN THE STRIKE STARTED?????????????
life is full of choices and what road to follow.
When you choose the road of greed it may be a short road.
Whom to follow, followers always
end up on a dead end road, other people make the decision for them.
They have no one too blame but their self not NASA, USA,so called scabs or the IAM look in the mirror there is the problem.
Must be nice when you can post anonymously. This is a crap blog. Go to the real one where you don't have anonymity. Then see all the tough talk.
"Less than 2 weeks left in strike fund, did they tell you that?"
Hmmm ,
That's funny . I did not know you could drain all of $136,000,000 by giving 454 people $150 a week for 14 weeks .
I got to check that math .... LOSER .
"Must be nice when you can post anonymously. This is a crap blog. Go to the real one where you don't have anonymity. Then see all the tough talk."
... said the anonymous poster.
Who is Fred, and why is he spoken about as if he is a God?
I have not see any bad talk but posting 12:43.and 9:51
If you have a problem with this blog do not read the itams.
Shut computer your down or go too IAM166.org.
That is more waht you like to hear. Have a great day.
Fred speaks for the union as they can not speak for themselves.
Not a God 180 degrees out.
No sense of humor these days.
15 weeks ago he was on top of the heap now he is on the bottom.
Take this or leave it. A bunch of new faces arrived today. Ask someone you trust, from other unions, at KSC if you don't believe this. Certainly these people had earlier interviews and were not hired since the want ad appeared.
...because I am
4:54; "take this or leave it"? You speak with the voice of authority of HR. Could it be true? If anyone is seeking the truth and a direction for life consult a blog. Everyone knows that you can not type a lie on a blog. The keys will burn your fingers. OW!
Tough crowd! Everybodys a critic! A few lousy lines and I'm a bum. Thats show biz. Keep the cards and letters comming folks. Stay tunned for a message from USA HR..
Did these bunch of new faces have paint on their faces and orange hair and big red noses? Hmmmmm, it could be another bunch of clowns to work with the clowns at USA!!!
Everyone loves a circus. Peanuts,popcorn and circus entertainment, it doesnt get any better than that Brevard county.
indeed! Another great reason NOT to live in Brevard County.
fred murtz said...
I am a bum so what what is new??
fred murtz said...
Stay strong Brothers and Sisters only a few more weeks.
fred murtz says...
Take it or leave it,
we left it and look at us now.
Now we would like to take it
and do not know how...........
Most roads lead north all "Yankees"
should go north then we would have peace and quite.
Then we would have a great work force.
All the feather bed wetters
would be gone, be gone, be gone..
I hope that I didnt shock anyone with that news flash, at least I feel in good company with the rest of the idiots here. "I have time to kill, therefore I blog". Last night, my friend Jack Daniels and I had a long discussion about this blog. He told me that I need to continue my missionary work here. So I shall....
did I say that?
what time does all the "I hate unions because...drool start?
Some say that Fred Savage is a derivative of Fred Murtz but I beg to differ.
My mom says I cant post anymore hate on this blog!! Well thats not entirely true when she drinks vodka and gets trashed we like to come in here and spread hate and discontent!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
The strike is being called Walkers Waco. Pretty funny at first until I thought about the similarities. Brainwashing, isolation, self destruction. They are their own fuel and are self destructing.
It'a all about.....
Performance Award
Award Fee
Unfair Labor Practice
Be prepared Glenn...
The strike fund is running out unless other locals pitch in more donations. That's why they are pushing hard to start talks. Well, that and the fact that temps will complete the shuttle program for the stikers. The bed has been made though, no talks will occur. The sheets are dirty.
Hey, they have their own blog though, way cool. That's gotta make everybody just feel groovy!No worries mate!
Get out by the road and stand up with your sign. God, how lazy.
fred murtz said...
Stay Strong Brothers and Sisters
we are almost some where????????
there...as in not here
Post a Comment