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NASA is set to test shuttle Discovery's main engines at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A today as post-rollout preparations for a planned launch later this month pick up at the oceanfront complex.
Discovery and seven astronauts are scheduled to blast off at 11:38 a.m. EDT Oct. 23 on a mission to deliver the U.S. Harmony module to the International Space Station. Now nestled in the Payload Changeout Room at the pad, the cylindrical module will be installed in Discovery's cargo bay on Wednesday. The shuttle's clamshell-like payload bay doors are to be opened Tuesday.Discovery was hard-down on the pad surface at 1:15 p.m. Sunday. An Apollo-era crawler transporter hauled the shuttle and its mobile launcher platform out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at 6:47 a.m. that day.
NASA had planned to hot-fire the shuttle's three Auxiliary Power Units at the launch pad late Sunday buy high winds force managers to postpone the hazardous operation. The units provide hyadraulic power needed to steer the shuttle's main engines during ascent and control the orbiter's aerosurfaces, brakes, landing gear and nosewheel steering system during atmospheric reentry and landing. The test has been rescheduled for next Saturday.
The Frequency Response Test at the pad today will involve cycling valves in the shuttle's main engines to make certain they are opening and closing on command. Technicians this week also will be prepping ground support equipment for the loading of hypergolic propellants into tanks that feed the shuttle's 44 nose-and-tail steering thrusters.
Discovery's astronauts are scheduled to fly to KSC on Sunday to take part in emergency training at the launch pad and a two-day practice countdown. Led by veteran astronaut Pam Melroy, the crew includes pilot George Zamka and mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Douglas Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson and Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency.
NASA astronaut Dan Tani will fly up to the international outpost aboard Discovery, and station flight engineer Clay Anderson -- who launched aboard Discovery in June -- will return to Earth with Melroy's crew.
NOTE ON IMAGES: Click to enlarge and save the NASA images of shuttle Discovery as it made its way out of the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building and down NASA's historic crawlerway to launch pad 39A. Photo credits: Justin Dernier, EPA, took the rainbow photo. It shows light refracting in water spray laid down on the crawlerway by a water truck just ahead of the shuttle. The water reduces the amount of dust that is kicked up as the crawler-transporter and its load -- a whopping 17.5 million pounds -- roll over Alabama and Tennessee river rock. The other five photos were shot by George Shelton, NASA.
33 comments:
Why are they spraying water on the road ahead of the crawler? Is this something new (well, yes it is, because I don't remember it from when I worked there)? Tied to this summer's drought?
Hey Rich:
They sprayed down the crawlerway in advance of the crawler-transporter to reduce the amount of dust that is kicked up as the crawler-transporter and its load -- 17.5 million pounds -- crunch through the river rock.
I've never seen this before. That's why I posted the pix -- I though they were different and interesting.
It makes sense though. I imagine that dust can really wreak havoc on crawler-transporter bearings....
Todd
It is aimed at lowering the crawler crews exposure to dust (Silicosis)
The crawler uses lubricated bushings to support the heavy weight.
We used roller "Bearings the first time.
Replaced them all with buishings they could did not hold up under the heavy load.
Bearings are used but on the tracks in the heavy weight bearing area.
Re: the spraying of water - It might well be to cut down on dust, but it could also be to add structural integrity to the road bed. With over 100 rollouts without the water spray, it might be connected (as Rich K. suggested) to such a dry summer. Getting the bed up to optimum moisture content could help to increase its strength under load.
Rich M.
Any one notice Sunday afternoon how one side of the CT track was much deeper than the other side? I couldn't help but notice the river rock trail on the north side was a much deeper imprint than on the south side????
Five of these are NASA shots, on the KSC media archive. Only the rainbow is listed as Justin Dernier/EPA.
anonymous:
Actually, the shot that appears to have been taken by a remote camera on the Fixed Service Structure (Discovery on the pad with the ocean in the background) also was taken by Justin Dernier/EPA.
Todd
anonymous:
I stand corrected. Justin Dernier took the rainbow photo. George Shelton took the others.
I fixed the credit lines in the item.
Todd
Did anybody catch the Orlando Sent. article in the 10/2 paper? Up to one third of the work force (Nasa and contractor) to be cut due to lack of funding. Really bad time to strike.
Should have sprayed water on the coverings on the ET lines ..... the ignored high winds blew a few of them off .
I wonder how much those covers cost the taxpayers ?
who cares?
stike and eat cheetos baby!!!!!!!!!
WHAT YOU SHOULD WONDER IS WHAT THE "IAM" COSTS THE TAX PAYER.
FEATHER BEDDING A GOVERMENT CONTRACT.
THE 'IAM' NEVER WORRIES ADOUT FUNDING.
THAT IS ALWAYS THE CONTRACTORS PROBLEM.
THEN THEY CRY WHEN ACTION TAKES PLACE AFTER THE FACT...........
What does every worker at the Space Center cost taxpayers?
Im a tax payer and I dont care
I try not to pay taxes and I do care.
I only care about Cheetos and vodka!!
That letter the dumb-o-crats sent to a retiring McCulley must have realy stirred things up. When are negotiations set for? Oh, they're not?
3:51 You are a welfair receiver.
its sad that all the good unions have done in the past are now overshadowed by the sorry excuse for a union we have now. theyve ruined their own workers lives made enemies out of friends and have the gall to stand up and say "stay strong".just because the delegation wants a couple extra dollars for THEIR retirement.
fred murtz says....
Stay strong Brothers and Sisters we are almost there??????????????
did I say that?
I pay taxes and I figure I pay $355 a year for manned space flight. I spend more than that at a crap table in Vegas once a year. http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fy08/fpaa.html
**maybe Im wrong, its ok, Im used to it, Im married**
all i want to know is how do they keep a straight face after telling their "brothers and sisters" to stand strong after 113 days? no real talent? no real skills? cant keep from getting in trouble at work? join a union!
Great Freds think alike.
2:33, Why do you want to know? What's it to ya? Are you involved or just have time to kill?
What no negotiations!! Guess I better stock up on Cheetos and PBR!
Hey Fred spare a case of PBR?
That letter the dumb-o-crats sent to a retiring McCulley must have realy stirred things up. When are negotiations set for? Oh, they're not?))))))))))) union went to talk monday and usa went to talk wednesday to the mediator after that a time will be set to start talk es again and the sucker Punch USA threw only made us that much stronger the folks that where about to go in are now staying out thanks USA we will be back soon
Where are the unions answers to the strike now? A strike is only a succesful tool if it causes a monetary disruption in the company being struck. USA has not been hurt. Nor will it. How many launches so far? When is the next one? This was a futile attempt to gain extra retirement benefits for a group of aging workers. They convinced the body to vote it down. You got your wish. Now live with it.
Brevard's economy must be in great shape. Every striker thats asked says they've found a great job and aren't hurting. Gosh, that is incredible odds to have overcome. I mean everybody finding great jobs.
hold everything! we've just been called to a double secret meeting in washington! theres very important people (we cant say who) waiting there to sign our petition! to the batmobile! oops i mean to the airport! da nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh stooopid!
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