Space Shuttlemissie STS-133 met Discovery voor de laatste keer

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Shuttle Managers Assess Main Engine Controller Issue
Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:20:09 PM GMT+0100

During space shuttle main engine checkouts, the backup controller for engine 3 did not turn on as expected. There appeared to be an issue with one of three power phases, which was narrowed down to either a cockpit circuit breaker or switch that provides power. The circuit breaker and switch were turned off and on, restoring power.

Engineers continue to analyze data that showed voltage irregularities and will meet this afternoon to review their data. The Mission Management Team now will convene at 5 p.m. EDT to assess the issue.

Nasa

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Shuttle Launch Attempt Delayed for Weather
Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:08:24 AM GMT+0100

Managers will delay Discoverys launch for 24 hours due to weather. Mission managers will meet tomorrow at 5 a.m. to reevaluate the weather conditions. Fridays launch attempt would be at 3:04 p.m. EDT.

Nasa

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AMSTERDAM - De lancering van de space shuttle Discovery voor zijn laatste vlucht is vrijdag opnieuw afgeblazen. Nadat de NASA het sein aanvankelijk op groen had gezet, ontstond bij het vullen van de brandstoftanks een lek, waardoor waterstof ontsnapte.

De lancering heeft door eerdere technische problemen en ongunstige weersomstandigheden al vier dagen vertraging opgelopen.

De NASA heeft nog tot zondag, anders moet de vlucht naar het internationale ruimtestation ISS tot december worden uitgesteld.
Bron

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NASA Managers: It's a "Go" for Launch

At today's pre-launch news conference NASA's mission management team have given their unanimous approval for space shuttle Discovery's launch tomorrow at 4:50 p.m. EST.

"Everything is on track and going beautifully with the countdown," said Mike Moses, mission management team chair. "We're really looking forward to a very action-packed, successful mission and everything is on track."

Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, agreed that everything is going extremely well with the launch countdown. He also acknowledged the processing teams who worked on Discovery, its flight systems and ground elements. "As we're powering up (the systems) we're seeing no problems at all."

The rotating service structure will be rolled away from Discovery at around 8 p.m. revealing it for the last time on the launch pad. Loading of the external fuel tank will begin at around 7:25 a.m. tomorrow morning. "We're not tracking any issues and it looks like Discovery will fly this time," said Leinbach.

Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer, reported that the weather remains exceptional with only a 20 percent chance that weather will be prohibitive at launch time. The only slight issue may be a localized off-shore shower in the late afternoon. The forecast during tanking also is looking very good.

At 7:15 a.m. EST NASA TV will begin coverage of the fueling of the external tank. Launch coverage for Discovery's final mission to the International Space Station will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Bron