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A two-day practice countdown is under way at Kennedy Space Center today and Discovery's astronauts are going through emergency training in advance of a planned launch later this month on an International Space Station assembly mission.
Led by veteran astronaut Pam Melroy, who will become only the second woman to command a shuttle mission, the astronauts fielded questions from reporters during a Q&A session at launch pad 39A -- a standard media opportunity during a crew's Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT.
Melroy noted that the Discovery crew would be climbing aboard the shuttle Wednesday at about the same time that NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is scheduled to launch on a Soyuz rocket at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Whitson, who is destined to become the first female commander of the international outpost, will be launching with Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and a Malaysian space tourist. Live NASA coverage of the flight, which is scheduled to lift off at 9:22 a.m., will be webcast here in The Flame Trench beginning at 8:30 a.m.
"We're very excited about (the launch)," said Melroy, a veteran shuttle pilot. "In fact, the only disappointment about Peggy's launch is that we're going to be strapping in so we won't actually get to watch it live."In what amounts to a launch-day dress rehearsal, Melroy and her crew will don partial pressure launch-and-entry suits early Wednesday, depart crew quarters at the Operations & Checkout Building and ride the NASA Astrovan out to pad 39A.
A NASA-contractor close out crew then will help the astronauts climb aboard the shuttle and strap into their seats on the flight deck and the middeck of the winged spaceship.
"This is an exciting time for us," said Melroy. "When you start getting close to your vehicle and you realize that it's not a simulator any more, you're really going to go do it, it's a very big moment. Very exciting."
The Discovery astronauts aim to deliver the U.S. Harmony module to the international station. Built in Italy, the multihatch module will serve as a pressurized passageway to still-to-be-launched European and Japanese science laboratories.
"We're going to be getting ready to open the gateway to international laboratories," Melroy said. "So we're really proud of our part in building the International Space Station."
The crew includes (pictured above, from left to right) Melroy, pilot George Zamka and mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Douglas Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency and Dan Tani.
Senior shuttle program managers, meanwhile, are meeting in a new two-day technical review aimed at clearing engineering issues in advance of a traditional Flight Readiness Review that will be held next week at KSC.
Discovery and its crew remain scheduled to launch at 11:38 a.m. Oct. 23.
IMAGE NOTE: Click to enlarge and save the Florida Today photos of the Pam Melroy and the Discovery astronauts answering questions from reporters during a Q&A session at launch pad 39A. Photo credit: Michael R. Brown, Florida Today.
36 comments:
I hate the union.
USA is putting a squeeze play on the union and its members.
NASA has more or less given its approval by keeping quite officially and encouraging USA to hang tough behind the scenes.
USA will hire temporary replacements, and will sometime in the near future declare the strike is beyond meaning, and make the new hires permanant.
Florida is a right to work state, and I doubt you will get any help from the State courts, and the Federal courts are not interested.
Feed the hate HR. Its all you are good at. Get the non-union side hating the union side. Get the union side hating the non-union side and sit back and fire them as they fight amongst themselves. Then you will have your attrition. It will make you look so good because no one was laid off. The paper will say it was all done through attrition. Nice work. Hope all see what these people are doing. Nothing they say is true. They are dirt. See them for what they are.
I knew NASA was behind all of this (the USA strike). NASA does not worry about getting astronauts to the space station and back safely, instead they are more worried about their contractor's employee and compensation benefits packages affecting their precious budget. So much for non-interference!
The repercussions of this strike will affect not only the strikers but USA and NASA as well. USA will lose any further contracts and NASA funding will be affected due to apathy for the space program and a poor image. All because a couple of USA managers are too stubborn to negotiate in good faith.
Our NASA counter part has made no bones about it, they want the union out. They have said they would like to retain some of the skilled people but they just don't want the union protecting them. I am pretty sure they will do what ever it takes to accomplish this goal.
QBSE
Our NASA counter part has made no bones about it, they want the union out. They have said they would like to retain some of the skilled people but they just don't want the union protecting them. I am pretty sure they will do what ever it takes to accomplish this goal.
Thank you. I have got that statement for future use.
The IAM local 2061 page tells us to hang tight in solidarity and goes on to tell some idiotic tale about one of the reps falling while playing pirates with his kids. WHO CARES!!You are NOT getting the job done, this is getting old and what's important is a settlement returning us, meaning those SUFFERING, back to our jobs. Quit deadpanning us with witless prackle and SETTLE THIS STRIKE !!!
Doesn't this amount to third party intervention?
I hope you don't get caught spouting this kind of information. NASA will threaten FT with blackballing if they don't turn over IP addresses to find out who you are.
you strikers are willing to blame anybody but yourselves for this strike. you were given a "fair and equitable" contract in june and you voted it down. YOU VOTED IT DOWN. now it looks like youre gonna get less than you struck for. deal with it. and when you go back thank usa for letting you come back.
the strikers are willing to blame everyone but themselves for the strike. you were given a "fair and equitable" contract in june and you voted it down. YOU VOTED IT DOWN. now it looks like when (if) you do come back it will be for considerably less. you blew it plain and simple.
To anonymous 4:32 p.m.:
That's just baloney. You must think we live in a police state.
There is just no way NASA would "threaten FT with blackballing if they don't turn over IP addresses."
NASA has no authority to do something like that, and I can gaurantee you that the agency would get a single-finger salute if they ever even dreamed of doing something like that.
You are just trying to scare people.
Todd
Thanks Todd, some have been way too angry towards the union, and should never wish for evil against them. But they (union)can't spout and post viciousness and not expect some return. If you don't like this forum, you have your own blog remember? Leave people who wish to work alone.
go Todd! if anybody should got the one finger salute its the union delegation for ruining their workers lives because they wanted to try to stick it to usa and it blew up in their face. now theyre scrambling to try and keep the workers from breaking free of their reins.
Todd, while I agree that 4:32 was way off base, you should have stopped at "There is just no way NASA would..." Who were you trying to "scare" with your next sentence?? Very unprofessional.
I am really starting to see why the union went on strike (aside from the economic issues). USA doesn't seem to have any respect for anyone, non-union included. Oh well, you reap what you sow.
MEANWHILE....
The NASA Engineering Safety Center is recommended the R&R of two RCC panels on Discovery due to upper level debonding of the materials. A final decision is pending, but if approved, would mean rollback.
Todd,
You are not one to speak with any authority whatsoever here. You and FT have this junk on here simply to feed the hate at the space center. You want so much for something bad to happen just so you can get your sorry story. My personal opinion is that you are a NASA suck up reporter and you have no credibility. Whenever a story is posted online in the paper there is a section for comments. You choose to put it on this mess just to cause strife amongst the troops. There will never be a story of yours that I will ever find to have credibility. I am not sure you could write your own pieces.
Post that.
Todd ,
You guys should look into the RCC issue on Discovery .
NASA NESC wants to replace 3 RCC panels on Discovery before flight .
That means rollback to VAB .
Could be the biggest news story of the month for Florida Today .
"Our NASA counter part has made no bones about it, they want the union out. They have said they would like to retain some of the skilled people but they just don't want the union protecting them. I am pretty sure they will do what ever it takes to accomplish this goal.
QBSE"
We know your counterpart , tell him we said thanks for thinking so kindly of us .
For all the blame I see placed against USA and NASA by the few neotiating members who are posting, you seem to neglect one very important fact; you voted to strike and then did. You did this to yourself. Several other unions ratified the same contract. It was not a terrible offer they made you. That fact and your absolute hatred toward people who chose to work, have now turned against you. And again, you're surprised? It's now the poor union that is being attacked?
The union knows full well the results of USA's meeting with the mediators, have they told you or posted it? You know in your heart what's coming and what they haven't told you, and you're right, it is coming. Here is a fact some of you will be forced to ponder too ; the actions and utter lack of respect the union showed to fellow KSC co-workers played heavily into the decisions to let you stay out. Of course, that is only an opinion now isn't it? So not only did you walk but your actions and destructive mean spirited comments helped assure your current position. Now only your pride keeps you from working. When the current hiring spree is through, if you wish to return to work, you will go on a recall list. Word is, when your areas temps hiring is completed, you will go on a recall list if you wish to return. That's the buzz and is only a rumor until it becomes otherwise.
Lew, we wish you well even if we strongly disagree with you on the strike.
4:22 PM,
Do you see it now? We aren't striking for a better contract, we are striking because the negotiating committee decided, without our even seeing the last offer, that we NEEDED to. They don't care about US, or NASA, or the IAM, they care about nothing more than the little bit of power we have given them. Instead of looking to settle, they prattle on about ANYTHING that will get our collective minds off of the hardships at home, ending most post with a call for "solidarity". I tell you, I'm sick of that word. They use it like the Russians used "comrade" under the USSR. I see now, they are hot air salesmen and nothing more. Tell me, what promise have they delivered on so far? I can't find any lately? All I know is that DBR Walker has been "summoned" so many times that I'm beginning to think he's someone's lap dog.
We can end this ourselves. I am seriously considering chucking this whole thing, calling HR and returning to a steady paycheck that will allow me to meet the bills. It's time to just go back to work.
Continue the hate FT. That is what you are good at. 8:29 post is a pile of crap. It will be interesting to see how they feel next week.
ha ha ha!
Jamieson a pirate!
Everybody watch your booty!
THE IAM SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH NASA OR USA, THIS WAS NOT A LOCKOUT IT WAS A WALK OUT.
WHEN THEY WALKED OUT THE MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERED THE RESULTS.
NOW THE MEMBERS BLAME EVERYONE BUT THEIR SELF.
BOYS LIVE WITH IT YOU VOTED FOR IT, NEXT TIME THINK BEFORE YOU VOTE.
Welcome to a new day of FT hate blog.
Batter Up!!!
Anyone can return too work that wants to.
You either can set at the gate awaiting the the "IAM" management to make the decision for you.
The other is to take your life back and report for work.
The decision is still yours not the "IAM' just like when you decide to walk out.
This is a right too work state,
you and only you make that decision.
HI DIDDLE LA DEE
A UNION LIFE FOR ME
I LIKE TO COMPLAIM
I AM A BIG PAIN
HI DIDDLE LA DEE
A UNION LIFE FOR ME
I STAY AT THE GATE
I PRAY ITS NOT TO LATE
I MAY GET THE GATE
HI DIDDLE LA DEE
A UNION LIFE FOR ME.
So when are they going to change the name of this blog from The Flame Trench to The Unsubstantiated Rumor Mill?
From a previous story:
"A lot of people have been working extremely hard on Discovery to get it ready to go," Melroy said. "We've had some real challenges in the last few months, and it's a real reflection on the team here at Kennedy Space Center, how they managed to keep us on schedule, which is so incredibly important for all the things that are coming up next."
Sounds like the astronauts don't support you either. Are you going to spout off against them, too?
Keep it up HR. Keep it up FT. Your only goal is to create hate between the two areas. I hope you are seen for what you are. Trouble.
The astronauts always say that regardless of who is doing the work. I am interested in hearing about the RSS problem. Is it true or just rumor?
so we've gone from 2 more weeks to 2 more days. when you come up with nothing then you will have truly demoralized everyone striking. kudos.
hate yum hate. Talk about drinking the koolaid.
Brothers and Sisters, time to face facts. They have launched TWICE without us and are about to do it again! They are hiring OTHER PEOPLE to do our jobs and the jobs are getting done. If this were a poker game, USA would be holding a royal flush and we wouldn't even have a pair of deuces!
Forget signing bonuses. Anyone thinking there is even a glimmer of hope for back pay are living in a dream world. WE JUST NEED A PAYCHECK. Kids get sick and paying the whole bill is a lot worse than the medical plan USA offers.
TIME TO END THIS STRIKE!
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