STS-115 - Space Shuttle Atlantis

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
Sonntag, 27. August 2006
22:30 CEST (4:30 p.m. EDT)


Kennedy Space Center, Weather and Launch Complex 39B (update every 60 seconds)



Nächstes Ereignis

Heute, 26./27. August 2006

01:30 CEST (7:30 p.m. EDT, Aug 26)
Rollback of the Rotating Service Structure (RSS)

Saturday evening at Launch Pad 39B, the rotating service structure is
scheduled to move away from the shuttle at about 7:30 p.m. EDT and
Atlantis will stand ready for liftoff.



NASA TV

Heute, 26. August 2006

16:00 CEST (10 a.m. EDT)
STS-115 Countdown Status Briefing - KSC (All Channels)

17:00 CEST (11 a.m. EDT)
STS-115 Prelaunch Webcast (All Channels)

19:00 CEST (1 p.m. EDT)
Exploration Systems Update Briefing - KSC (All Channels)


Sonntag, 27. August 2006

16:30 CEST (10:30 a.m. EDT)
STS-115 Launch Coverage Begins - KSC (All Channels)



Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
S-082506

25 August 2006

Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Aug. 27, 2006, 4:30 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

At Launch Pad 39B, final launch preparations continue. The payload bay doors were closed for flight last night, and loading of the fuel for the power reactant storage and distribution system is now under way. Weather delays interrupted the PRSD loading earlier this afternoon, but the task is expected to be completed later this evening. No impact to the remaining schedule is expected. Also, the Tyvek ring covers have been installed on the forward reaction control system thrusters. These covers protect the thrusters from inclement weather. They are designed to release from the orbiter shortly after launch, as the shuttle clears the tower.

Mission managers met at KSC this afternoon to further discuss progress made and give final approval to continue with launch activities. No problems were discussed that would prevent an on-time launch on Sunday.

Weather forecasters indicate the launch day probability of weather prohibiting launch is 40 percent. A Bermuda high pressure ridge located over the Florida Straits is creating a southwesterly flow over Central Florida, bringing afternoon thunderstorms for the next two days. The primary concerns on Sunday are anvil clouds, showers and thunderstorms within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Die Nutzlastbuchttore wurden am frühen Morgen für den Flug geschlossen und das Befüllen der Tanks des Brennstoffzellenversorgungssystems (PRSD) ist jetzt im Gange. Am späten Nachmittag hatte zwar schlechtes Wetter die PRSD-Betankung verzögert, aber es wird erwartet, daß der Vorgang in der Nacht abgeschlossen sein wird. Dies wird keine Auswirkungen auf den Rest des Countdown haben. Ebenso wurden die Tyvek-Ringabdeckungen am vorderen Manövriertriebwerkssystem angebracht. Diese Abdeckungen schützen die Steuerdüsen vor rauhem Wetter. Sie sind so ausgelegt, daß sie sich kurz nach dem Start, wenn das Shuttle die Startrampe hinter sich läßt, vom Orbiter lösen.

Die Missionsleitung hat sich am Abend zusammengefunden, um den bisherigen Fortschritt zu besprechen, und hat ihre Zustimmung gegeben, mit den Startvorbereitungen fortzufahren. Es wurden keine Probleme erörtert, die einen pünktlichen Start am Sonntag Abend verhindern könnten.

Die Meteorologen sehen zur Zeit eine Wahrscheinlichkeit von 40% für schlechtes Wetter zum Startzeitpunkt. Eine Bermuda-Hochdruckfront über der Straße von Florida erzeugt eine südwestlich gerichtete Luftströmung über Zentralflorida, die die nachsten zwei Tage für Nachmittagsgewitter sorgt. Die Hauptsorge am Sonntag stellen Amboßwolken, Schauer und Gewitter innerhalb des Bereiches von 32 Kilometern um die Shuttle-Landeeinrichtung dar.


Quelle: NASA.gov
Übersetzung: space-science-journal.de



Tropical Storm "Ernesto"


Image: nhc.noaa.gov

U.S. Air Force First Lt. Kaleb Nordgren of the 45th Weather Squadron at
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station provided an update on the prospects for
launch-day weather issues. As of Friday evening, he reported that there is
still only a 40 percent change of "no go" due to weather for Sunday's launch.



Video Gallery

25 August 2006

1. STS-115 - Crew Training ... 16.3 MB

2. STS-115 - Countdown Status Briefing ... 20.4 MB

3. STS-115 - Launch Readiness News Conference ... 61.3 MB


Quelle: space-multimedia.nl.eu.org / NASA TV



Image Gallery

24 August 2006


KSC-06PD-1915 (08/24/2006)
On Launch Pad 39B, the cargo in Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay is
seen before the closing of the bay doors. The cargo is the
17-and-a-half-ton P3/P4 truss segment for the International Space
Station.



KSC-06PD-1918 (08/24/2006)
Workers on Launch Pad 39B examine the bottom of the starboard payload
bay door as it closes around the cargo in Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload
bay.



KSC-06PD-1919 (08/24/2006)
The payload bay doors on Space Shuttle Atlantis have closed around the
orbiter's cargo, the 17-and-a-half-ton P3/P4 truss segment for the
International Space Station.


25 August 2006


KSC-06PD-1920 (08/25/2006)
STS-115 Mission Specialist Steven MacLean has his launch suit checked
for fit before the launch on Aug. 27. MacLean, who represents the
Canadian Space Agency, will be making his second flight on a shuttle.



KSC-06PD-1926 (08/25/2006)
STS-115 Mission Specialist Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper waves in
confidence about the launch on Aug. 27. Piper is making her first flight on
a shuttle.



KSC-06PD-1933 (08/25/2006)
STS-115 Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner adjusts his helmet. Tanner is
making his fourth flight on a shuttle. He and other crew members are
checking their launch suits and apparatus before the launch on Space
Shuttle Atlantis on Aug. 27.


Quelle: NASA.gov



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
Sonntag, 27. August 2006
22:30 CEST (4:30 p.m. EDT)


Kennedy Space Center, Weather and Launch Complex 39B (update every 60 seconds)



Nächstes Ereignis

Heute, 26./27. August 2006

01:00 CEST (7 p.m. EDT, Aug 26)
Rollback of the Rotating Service Structure (RSS)

Saturday evening at Launch Pad 39B, the rotating service structure is
scheduled to move away from the shuttle at about 7 p.m. EDT and
Atlantis will stand ready for liftoff.



NASA TV

Sonntag, 27. August 2006

16:30 CEST (10:30 a.m. EDT)
STS-115 Launch Coverage Begins - KSC (All Channels)



Video Gallery

26 August 2006

1. STS-115 - Countdown Status Briefing ... 36.7 MB


Quelle: space-multimedia.nl.eu.org / NASA TV



Watching the Weather

26 August 2006


Remote cameras captured a lightning strike at the
launch pad on Friday. Photo credit: NASA

At the Countdown Status Briefing this morning, NASA Test Director Jeff
Spaulding reported that teams were still assessing any potential effects
from a lightning strike at the pad on Friday, but added, "so far, it looks
favorable." Spalding also reported the countdown was proceeding as
scheduled, saying, "I'm pleased to announce that our vehicle, the launch
team and hopefully the weather are ready for tomorrow's launch."

STS-115 Payload Manager Robbie Ashley reported all is "go" with the
shuttle payload, the integrated P3/P4 truss segment for the International
Space Station.

With weather ranking as the potential spoiler for launch day, Shuttle
Weather Officer Kathy Winters said that on Sunday the launch team will
still be dealing with afternoon storms, with the chance of "no go" for
weather now at 60 percent. Winters also reported that forecasters are
watching Tropical Storm Ernesto, expected to grow into a hurricane in the
Gulf of Mexico, even though it posses no direct threat to launch.

This evening at Launch Pad 39B, the rotating service structure is
scheduled to move away from the shuttle at about 7 p.m. EDT and Atlantis
will stand ready for liftoff.

Launch coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday.
+ Watch NASA TV


Quelle: NASA.gov



Tropical Storm "Ernesto"




Images: nhc.noaa.gov



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[Tordal]

Toll, ich habe gerade gehört, das der Start wohl abgesagt und um 24 Stunden verschoben wurde. Als Grund wurde das Wetter genannt. Also heisst es doch noch bis Morgen warten.

[STS-Chris]

The Shuttle Mission Management team decided this afternoon to
postpone the STS-115 launch for at least 24 hours. They will be providing more
details on the issues they are working at a briefing this afternoon. The briefing
will be carried live on NASA TV.

Quelle: NASA.gov



@Tordal: Das heißt bis Montag warten, nicht bis morgen.

[Tordal]

[B][SIZE=3]
@Tordal: Das heißt bis Montag warten, nicht bis morgen.

Oh Gott, du hast natürlich Recht. Da habe ich glatt einen Tag unterschlagen.
Juchu, ich muss Morgen doch noch nicht arbeiten gehen.

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
momentan
Montag, 28. August 2006
22:04 CEST (4:04 p.m. EDT)


Kennedy Space Center, Weather and Launch Complex 39B (update every 60 seconds)



Nächstes Ereignis

Sonntag, 27. August 2006

16:00 CEST (10 a.m. EDT)
STS-115 - Mission Management Team Review of data



Start verschoben

26 August 2006

The Space Shuttle Mission Management Team decided Saturday afternoon
to postpone the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis for at least 24 hours to
allow more time for teams to assess ground and flight systems following a
strong lighting strike to the lighting protection system at the launch pad on
Friday afternoon.

"We're going to let the teams go off and work the plans," said LeRoy Cain,
launch integration manager and chairman of the management team. Cain
said the Mission Management Team would review data and decide about
Monday when they reconvene at 10 a.m. EDT on Sunday.
+ View Video (Real)
+ View Video (Windows)

If it is determined that all systems are go for a Monday launch, the
weather presents only a 20 percent chance of "no go" according to U.S.
Air Force First Lt. Kaleb Nordgren of the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station.

The liftoff time for Monday would be 4:04 p.m. EDT.


Quelle: NASA.gov



The lightning bolt that hit launch pad 39B Friday was one of the most
powerful on record at the Kennedy Space Center, sending some
100,000 amps of current through the lightning protection system, officials
said today. While the lightning protection system worked, shielding the
shuttle Atlantis from a direct hit, engineers are concerned about induced
currents that showed up in a brief spike in one of the shuttle's main
circuits and another in a launch pad pyrotechnic system.


Quelle: SpaceflightNow.com



Image Gallery

26 August 2006


KSC-06PD-1937 (08/26/2006)
The dark clouds of a heavy rainstorm moving into Kennedy Space Center
in the late afternoon on Sat., August 26, 2006, seem to illuminate the
Space Shuttle Atlantis as it sits on Launch Pad 39B. A lightning strike to
the pad's lightning protection system on August 25, caused the mission
management team to postpone the launch of mission STS-115 for 24
hours in order to review all electrical systems on the space shuttle and
ground support equipment at the pad. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley.


Quelle: NASA/KSC



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[Spocky]

Ich hab auch gerade von der Verschiebung gehört

hier

Leider muss ich im Gegensatz zu Tordal morgen sehr wohl arbeiten, hätte aber auch heute kaum Zeit gehabt, den Start zu verfolgen, da ich noch auf Silberhochzeit meiner Tante und meines Onkels darf

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
momentan
Montag, 28. August 2006
22:04 CEST (4:04 p.m. EDT)


Kennedy Space Center, Weather and Launch Complex 39B (update every 60 seconds)



Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
S-082606

26 August 2006

Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Aug. 28, 2006, 4:04 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

The Mission Management Team decided today to postpone the launch of Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-115 for 24 hours. Launch is now scheduled for 4:04 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, Aug. 28. On Friday, at about 1:49 p.m., a lightning strike occurred on the pad's lightning protection system. Managers determined additional time was required to be assured all systems on the shuttle and the pad were not affected.

Mission managers will meet again Sunday morning to further assess launch readiness. The countdown clock is currently in an extended hold at T-11 hours.

At Launch Pad 39B, launch preparations continue. Loading of the fuel for the power reactant storage and distribution system was completed Friday night, following a six-hour weather delay. Closeouts of the pad systems and final stowage of flight crew items is under way.

U.S. Air Force weather officers are forecasting a 20-percent chance of weather prohibiting a launch attempt on Monday. The primary weather concern is for the probability of showers within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Die Missionsleitung hat heute beschlossen, den Start um einen Tag zu verschieben. Er ist jetzt für Montag, 28. August um 22:04 Uhr MESZ angesetzt. Am Freitag um 19:49 Uhr MESZ war ein Blitz in das Blitzableitersystem der Startrampe eingeschlagen. Die Missionsleiter sind der Ansicht, daß mehr Zeit benötigt wird, um sicherzustellen, daß keine Systeme der Rampe und des Shuttles davon in Mitleidenschaft gezogen wurden.

Die Missionsleitung wird am Sonntag erneut zusammenkommen, um die Flugbereitschaft weiter zu erörtern. Der Countdown ist zur Zeit in einer ausgedehnten Unterbrechung bei T-11 Std..

Auf der Startrampe 39B gehen indes die Vorbereitungen weiter. Das Befüllen der Tanks des Brennstoffzellenversorgungssystems wurde Freitag Nacht beendet, nachdem sich der Vorgang aufgrund des Wetters um sechs Stunden verzögert hatte. Das Verschließen der Rampensysteme und das Verstauen der letzten Ausrüstungsgegenstände der Flugbesatzung sind im Gange.

Die Meteorologen der US-Luftwaffe sehen für Montag nur eine 20%-ige Wahrscheinlichkeit, daß schlechtes Wetter den geplanten Start verhindern könnte. Die Hauptsorge gilt weiterhin der Möglichkeit von Schauern innerhalb des Bereiches von 37 km um die Shuttle-Landeeinrichtung (SLF).


Quelle: NASA.gov
Übersetzung: space-science-journal.de



Mission Status Report

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006
08:00 CEST (2:00 a.m. EDT)

NASA's Mission Management Team decided early Sunday to continue
testing and analysis to assess the possible effects of a launch pad
lightning strike Friday on the shuttle Atlantis' solid-fuel booster and
self-destruct systems. A Monday launch attempt remains feasible for now,
sources said, but only if the community agrees time-consuming tests to
verify the health of booster and range safety pyrotechnic systems are not
needed. If the tests are required, launch likely would slip to mid week or
later.


14:22 CEST (8:22 a.m. EDT)

NASA officials continue to wrestle with the post-lightning strike data
collection and analysis, plus trying to decide whether to perform additional
tests on the solid rocket booster pyrotechnics. Launch team engineers
have been told liftoff is likely to slip to no earlier than Tuesday. However,
a NASA spokesman says a decision to delay from Monday has not yet
been made.

Also in the mix is Hurricane Ernesto, which has become the Atlantic's first
hurricane of 2006. The latest forecast track by the National Hurricane
Center now takes the storm into Florida later this week.
See the track below:



Hurricane "Ernesto"




Images: nhc.noaa.gov



Video Gallery

26 August 2006

1. STS-115 - Countdown Status Briefing ... 36.6 MB

2. STS-115 - Launch Postponed Briefing ... 41.2 MB


Quelle: space-multimedia.nl.eu.org / NASA TV



Image Gallery

26 August 2006


KSC-06PD-1938 (08/26/2006)
The dark clouds of a heavy rainstorm moving into Kennedy Space Center
in the late afternoon on Sat., August 26, 2006, seem to illuminate the
Space Shuttle Atlantis as it sits on Launch Pad 39B.



KSC-06PD-1939 (08/26/2006)
Several remote cameras are positioned around the perimeter of Launch
Pad 39B in preparation for the launch of mission STS-115 aboard Space
Shuttle Atlantis.



KSC-06PD-1940 (08/26/2006)
A lightning strike to the pad's lightning protection system on August 25,
caused the mission management team to postpone the launch of mission
STS-115 for 24 hours in order to review all electrical systems on the
space shuttle and ground support equipment at the pad.
Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley.


Quelle: NASA/KSC



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
momentan
Dienstag, 29. August 2006
21:36 CEST (3:36 p.m. EDT)


Kennedy Space Center, Weather and Launch Complex 39B (update every 60 seconds)



Nächstes Ereignis

27./28. August 2006

00:00 CEST (6 p.m. EDT, Sunday)
STS-115 - Mission Management Team Meeting

A news briefing on NASA TV will follow that meeting.



Start auf Dienstag verschoben

27 August 2006

Atlantis won't launch until at least Tuesday.

NASA decided sometime overnight to expand its postponement from 24 to
48 hours to allow more time for evaluation of potential damage from a
lightning strike at the pad on Friday.

That means Atlantis is now reset for launch no earlier than 3:36 p.m. on
Tuesday. The countdown remains in a hold at T-minus 11 hours.

The shuttle launch team was informed of the decision overnight, though
NASA has not yet officially announced the lengthened delay yet. Official
word should come later this morning.


Quelle: floridatoday.com



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
Dienstag, 29. August 2006
21:42 CEST (3:42 p.m. EDT)


Weather and KSC Launch Pad 39B (update every 60 seconds)



NASA TV

Heute, 27. August 2006

20:00 CEST (2 p.m. EDT)
STS-115 - News Conference (All Channels)



Offiziell: Start auf Dienstag verschoben

27 August 2006

Mission managers have determined Shuttle Atlantis will not launch
before Tuesday, Aug. 29. This delay is as a result of the lightning strike at
the pad on Friday and the need for additional time for further analysis of
the shuttle and ground systems. No damage to the vehicle or pad has
been found at this time, but more time for analysis requires an additional
launch delay.

At a 2 p.m. EDT (20:00 CEST) press conference today, Bill Gerstenmaier,
Associate Adm. for space operations, will provide further details on launch
preparations. The briefing will be live NASA TV.

Video of Lightning Strike: + Real | + Windows


Quelle: NASA.gov



Mission Status Report

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006
17:55 CEST (11:55 a.m. EDT)

NASA has finally announced that launch of space shuttle Atlantis will be
delayed until Tuesday at the earliest. The target launch time would be
3:42 p.m. EDT (21:42 CEST).

"This delay is as a result of the lightning strike at the pad on Friday and
the need for additional time for further analysis of the shuttle and ground
systems. No damage to the vehicle or pad has been found at this time,
but more time for analysis requires an additional launch delay," says a
NASA statement released a short time ago.

A news conference with NASA space operations chief Bill Gerstenmaier is
scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT (20:00 CEST) today.



Hurricane "Ernesto"

Image 1

Image 2

Images: nhc.noaa.gov



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Start:
Dienstag, 29. August 2006
21:41 CEST (3:41 p.m. EDT)


Weather and KSC Launch Pad 39B (update every 60 seconds)



NASA TV

27./28. August 2006

NET 02:00 CEST (NET 8 p.m. EDT)
STS-115 - Post-MMT Briefing (All Channels)

NET = no earlier than



NASA Working 'Competing Objectives' on Atlantis Launch

27 August 2006

NASA is keeping an eye on Hurricane Ernesto as engineers continue to
analyze data following the lightning strike at the shuttle Atlantis' launch
pad on Friday.

The orbiter and external tank teams have cleared their systems of any concerns from the strike, and shuttle engineers are now working together, looking at all elements as combined system, according to Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier. The combined data should help the solid rocket booster team determine if their system is clear as well, he added.

Meanwhile, with Ernesto tracking towards central Florida, NASA has to start preparing to roll Atlantis back to the Vehicle Assembly Building before high winds hit Cape Canaveral.

"We have really two competing objectives," Gerstenmaier said. "One, we want to get the vehicle ready to go fly. The other objective is we want to get the vehicle ready to roll back to the VAB ... At some point in the sequence you have to give up on either one or the other. That point hasn't occured yet, but it's coming this evening and we're going to have to make a decision."

The Mission Management Team will meet again tonight at 6 p.m. EDT (00:00 CEST) to consider both issues. A briefing will follow live on NASA TV, no earlier than 8 p.m. EDT (NET 02:00 CEST).

Gerstenmaier added that the complex situation makes for "probably the most awesome training scenario I've ever seen," adding "this is really good for our teams and they've done just a phenomenal job."


Quelle: NASA.gov



Mission Status Report

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006
20:40 CEST (2:40 p.m. EDT)

No decisions have been made about rolling back Atlantis from the launch
pad. Officials continue to watch the progress of Hurricane Ernesto, with a
decision expected later tonight whether Atlantis will be safe on its seaside
pad or should be transferred back to the 52-story Vehicle Assembly
Building.

Meanwhile, teams analyzing the shuttle from Friday's launch pad lightning
strike have now cleared the orbiter and external tank systems from
concern. The orbiter power bus issue discussed yesterday has been
resolved. The solid rocket boosters and associated pyrotechnics still need
to be confirmed healthy, however.

So NASA space operations chief Bill Gerstenmaier says two agendas are
competing against each other at Kennedy Space Center today. While the
lightning testing work continues to verify Atlantis is ready for launch as
early as Tuesday, preparations for a possible rollback are being made,
including attaching the fuel cell servicing umbilical to Atlantis for draining
the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants and moving the
crawler-transporter that would haul the shuttle to the VAB.


20:47 CEST (2:47 p.m. EDT)

A hypothetical scenario potentially could see Atlantis being rolled back to
the VAB in a couple of days, the hurricane passing on Friday, the shuttle
returning to the pad perhaps Sunday and launch as early as September 7
or 8. But Gerstenmaier says nothing has been decided yet.

Another management team meeting is planned for 6 p.m. EDT tonight
(00:00 CEST).



Video Gallery

27 August 2006

STS-115 - Launch Status Update ... 31.9 MB


Quelle: space-multimedia.nl.eu.org / NASA TV



Hurricane "Ernesto"

Image 1

Image 2

Images: nhc.noaa.gov



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[STS-Chris]

STS-115 Atlantis

SHUTTLE COUNTDOWN CLOCK

Rollback to VAB!


KSC, Vehicle Assembly Building and Atlantis on Launch Pad 39B
(update every 60 seconds)


NASA TV

Heute, 28. August 2006

16:00 CEST (10 a.m. EDT)
STS-115 - Briefing (All Channels)



Atlantis Launch Postponed As Ernesto Nears

28 August 2006

The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on its STS-115 mission to the
International Space Station is being postponed because of Tropical Storm
Ernesto.

Shuttle managers are taking the preliminary steps to move Atlantis off the
launch pad and back into the protection of the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Further decisions on how to proceed will be made later as NASA continues
to monitor Ernesto's progress.

NASA's lighted launch window extends to Sept. 13, but mission managers
are hoping to launch by Sept. 7 to avoid a conflict with a Russian Soyuz
rocket also bound for the International Space Station. Officials are talking
with our Russian partners about the issue.

More details will be available at a 10 a.m. EDT (16:00 CEST) briefing, which
will be live on NASA Television.


Quelle: NASA.gov



Mission Status Report

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006
02:20 CEST (8:20 p.m. EDT Sun.)

A decision for rollback of Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building to
escape the hurricane has been deferred until Monday morning around
7 a.m. EDT (13:00 CEST). Technicians will either begin draining the ship's
fuel cell reactants at that point to begin work to get the shuttle off the
launch pad or else push forward for liftoff on Tuesday as currently
planned.

Meanwhile, LeRoy Cain, the launch integration manager, reports that
space shuttle Atlantis has been fully cleared of any lingering concerns
from Friday's lightning strike that hit pad 39B. Additional testing of the
solid rocket booster pyrotechnics is no longer required based on data
collected from other systems on the shuttle.


12:48 CEST (6:48 a.m. EDT)

NASA officials this morning ordered rollback preparations to begin at
launch pad 39B. The predicted track of Ernesto continues to shift ever
closer to Kennedy Space Center. The latest map is posted below.


14:05 CEST (8:05 a.m. EDT)

In what amounts to a "perfect storm" of high winds, high stakes and
international drama, tropical storm Ernesto is now predicted to hit
southern Florida as a possible category two or three hurricane early
Wednesday, passing within a few miles of the Kennedy Space Center later
that day.

NASA managers early today ordered engineers to begin preparations for
rolling shuttle Atlantis off the launch pad and back to the protection of the
Vehicle Assembly Building, eliminating any chance of launching the shuttle
Tuesday.

While its movement over land will decrease Ernesto's strength, the current
track likely will bring tropical storm-force winds to Florida's space coast by
Wednesday morning and possible category one hurricane-force winds by
Wednesday night.



Tropical Storm "Ernesto"

Coastal Watches/Warnings and 5-Day Cone

Tropical Storm Wind Force Wind Speed Probabilities

Images: nhc.noaa.gov



Video Gallery

27 August 2006

STS-115 - Post-MMT Meeting Briefing ... 48.9 MB


Quelle: space-multimedia.nl.eu.org / NASA TV



Image Gallery

27 August 2006


KSC-06PD-1946 (08/27/2006)
Seen on Launch Pad 39B, the looming external tank (center) flanked by
the solid rocket boosters hide Space Shuttle Atlantis, behind them. Near
the top of the external tank is the liquid hydrogen vent arm. Preparations
continue on the pad for launch of Atlantis on mission STS-115 as early as
Aug. 29. However, preparations are also underway for a rollback of
Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Building due to Hurricane Ernesto. The
rollback will be determined by the mission management team based on
information about Hurricane Ernesto and its path through Florida. Atlantis
has been poised on Launch Pad 39B for liftoff on mission STS-115 to the
International Space Station to deliver the P3/P4 truss segment.
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller



KSC-06PD-1947 (08/27/2006)
On Launch Pad 39B, a worker monitors data during evaluation of systems
at the pad after a lightning strike Aug. 25.



KSC-06PD-1948 (08/27/2006)
Crawler-transporter No. 2 sits outside the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Workers will be driving the crawler to test it before it is needed to move
the STS-116 stack from VAB high bay 3 to high bay 2 and allow the
rollback of Space Shuttle Atlantis into high bay 3. The rollback will be
determined by the mission management team based on information about
Hurricane Ernesto and its path through Florida.



KSC-06PD-1949 (08/27/2006)
Crawler-transporter No. 1 sits outside the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Workers will be driving the crawler to test it before it is needed to roll
back Space Shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39B.



KSC-06PD-1950 (08/27/2006)
Workers check on the crawler-transporters in the event they are needed
for rolling back Space Shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39B. Crawler
No. 2 will be used to move the STS-116 stack from VAB high bay 3 to high
bay 2 and crawler No. 1 will be used to transport Atlantis to high bay 3.



KSC-06PD-1951 (08/27/2006)
Crawler-transporter No. 2 is being checked before it is needed to move
the STS-116 stack from VAB high bay 3 to high bay 2 and allow the
rollback of Space Shuttle Atlantis into high bay 3. Crawler No. 1 will
transport the shuttle from the pad.



KSC-06PD-1952 (08/27/2006)
Workers get ready to test drive the crawler-transporters sitting outside
the Vehicle Assembly Building.



KSC-06PD-1954 (08/27/2006)



KSC-06PD-1955 (08/27/2006)
Both of NASA's crawler-transporters are seen parked in their area near
the Vehicle Assembly Building.


Quelle: NASA/KSC



Shuttle Rollbacks

"Rollback" is the term used when the Space Shuttle must be rolled back
from the launch pad atop the Mobile Launcher Platform and
Crawler-Transporter to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). A variety of
factors can necessitate a rollback, ranging from the threat of severe
weather to the need for flight hardware repairs that cannot be performed
at the launch pad. Shuttle rollbacks to date are listed in chronological
order:


STS-9 * Columbia * October 19, 1983

Columbia was rolled back to the VAB, de-stacked, and the orbiter
returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility because of a suspect exhaust
nozzle on the right solid rocket booster.


STS-41-D * Discovery * July 11, 1984

Discovery was rolled back to the VAB following a pad abort on June 26.
The vehicle was returned to the VAB, de-stacked, and the orbiter returned
to the Orbiter Processing Facility to remove and replace the number three
main engine which caused the abort.


STS-51-E/51-B * Challenger * March 5, 1985

Challenger was rolled back due to a timing problem with the primary
payload, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-B. The vehicle was
de-stacked in VAB and the orbiter returned to Orbiter Processing Facility.
This mission, 51-E, was cancelled and the orbiter re-manifested with 51-B
payloads.


STS-35 * Columbia * June 12, 1990 * 1st rollback

Columbia was rolled back twice during preparations for mission STS-35.
The first time occurred after a hydrogen leak was detected in the external
tank/orbiter 17-inch umbilical.


STS-38 * Atlantis * August 9, 1990

Atlantis was rolled back to the VAB after tests confirmed a hydrogen fuel
leak on the external tank side of the external tank/orbiter 17-inch quick
disconnect umbilical. The vehicle was de-stacked.


STS-35 * Columbia * October 9, 1990 * 2nd rollback

Columbia was rolled back a second time due to the threat of severe
weather from Tropical Storm Klaus.


STS-39 * Discovery * March 7, 1991

Discovery rolled back to the VAB after significant cracks were found on all
four lug hinges on the two external tank umbilical door drive mechanisms.
The vehicle was de-stacked.


STS-68 * Endeavour * August 24, 1994

Endeavour was rolled back to the VAB after a pad abort due to an
unacceptably high discharge temperature in the high-pressure oxidizer
turbo pump on main engine number three. All three engines were
replaced in the VAB.


STS-70 * Discovery * June 8, 1995

Discovery was rolled back to the VAB after Yellow Flicker Woodpeckers
drilled about 195 holes on the external tank foam insulation, many of
which were too high up on the tank to be accessed at the pad for repairs.


STS-69 * Endeavour * August 1, 1995

Endeavour was rolled back to the VAB due to the threat of severe weather
from Hurricane Erin which passed through Brevard County where
the Kennedy Space Center is located.


STS-79 * Atlantis * July 10, 1996 * 1st rollback

Atlantis was rolled back to the VAB due to the threat of severe weather
from Hurricane Bertha and SRB problem.


STS-79 * Atlantis * September 4, 1996 * 2nd rollback

Atlantis was rolled back to the VAB due to the threat of severe weather
from Hurricane Fran.


STS-96 * Discovery * May 16, 1999

Discovery was rolled back to the VAB to repair hail damage to the
external tank foam insulation.


STS-98 * Atlantis * January 2, 2001 * 1st rollback

Atlantis began rollout to Launch Pad 39A, but an hour later stopped on the
crawler path so engineers could troubleshoot a failed computer processor
on the crawler transporter. Troubleshooting efforts were unsuccessful, so
managers decided to roll Atlantis back into VAB high bay 3 using a
secondary computer processor.


STS-98 * Atlantis * January 19, 2001 * 2nd rollback

Atlantis was rolled back to the VAB due to uncertainty involving the
integrity of the SRB cables.


STS-114 * Discovery * May 26, 2005

Discovery was rolled back in order to get a new, modified external fuel
tank in preparation for the Return to Flight mission.


Quelle: NASA.gov



NASA TV
Wikipedia: STS-115

[Tordal]

@STS Chris

Habe ich das jetzt richtig mitbekommen, das der Start für diese Woche wegen Hurrikan Ernesto gecancelt wurde? Der soll wohl nächer am CApe als bisher vermutet vorbeiziehen.
Wo sich mir die Frage stellt, ob du vielleicht etwas darüber gehört hast, das sich die NASA nach einem neuen Standort umsieht? Da in den nächsten Jahre mit mehr und evtl. noch stärkeren Stürmen zu rechnen ist, wäre es doch sinnvoll. Würde mich wirklich mal interessieren.
Wenn ich richtig gehört habe, soll sich der Start wohl sogar bis Oktober verzögern können.

[STS-Chris]

Eine Seite zurück hat Captain Slater das auch schon angemerkt. Aber ich kopier das nochmal hierhin, damit du nicht suchen brauchst.

Was die Atlantis angeht:
Es ist so wie ich es oben schon gepostet hatte. Der Start wurde abgesagt und das Shuttle wird zurück ins VAB gerollt. Das wird vermutlich morgen zwischen 14 und 16 Uhr MESZ geschehen. Mehr dazu später.

Ich frag' mich ja echt, warum die so an dem Kennedy Center festhalten, wenn die dort anscheinend immer solche Wetterprobleme haben.

Ähm, die komplette Startanlage von Cape Canaveral an einem anderen Ort in den USA neu zu errichten würde enorm viel Geld kosten. Dann kannste die Mond- und Marsflüge und wahrscheinlich auch noch mehrere Shuttle-Flüge entgültig knicken. Macht also überhaupt keinen Sinn.

Florida ist an sich schon der beste Standort, weil das Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral einfach eine günstige Lage hat. Es befindet sich nahe dem Äquator; dadurch verleiht die Erdrotation einer von dort aus startenden Rakete eine zusätzliche Geschwindigkeit. Außerdem ist es einfacher, bei einem äquatornahen Start Satelliten in die gewünschte Umlaufbahn zu bringen oder im Falle des Space Shuttles die ISS zu erreichen. Ein weiterer Vorteil des Standorts besteht darin, dass die bevorzugte Startrichtung zum Meer hin führt und somit keine Gefährdung der Bevölkerung befürchtet werden muss.

[Tordal]

STS-Chris

Danke für die Beantwortung meiner Frage. Das mit dem enormen Kostenaufwand ist schon einleuchtend und die Vorteile der Nähe zum Äquator waren mir auch aus irgendeiner Doku bekannt. Man kann nur hoffen, das Cape Canaveral nicht in den nächsten Jahren mal Besuch von einem starken Hurrikan bekommt. Denn ich denke, die evtl. durch die Schäden entstehenden Kosten könnten einen möglichen "Umzug" durchaus rechtfertigen. Würde mich nicht wundern, wenn es für so einen Fall bereits Pläne gibt an deren Umsetzung evtl. sogar schon gearbeitet wird.
Muss ja nicht alles auf einen Schlag passieren. Lieber früher damit anfangen, auch wenn es vielleicht jedes Jahr nur Schritt für Schritt vorangeht, als später überrumpelt zu werden und dann unter Zeitdruck zu stehen. Aber das ist natürlich nur eine Vermutung von mir.