STS-132 Atlantis 14/5/10

12april1981 wrote: »

Loaded with press kits and cameras and lens Myself and my wife Siobhan will be heading to the Cape and launch of sts 132 this coming friday.We will have the privilege of watching the launch from the Press site.We will write and send many pics and hope to bring you all a little closer to the launch.I have a feeling the files are too large on my computer,as they have failed to attach to my mails,but we will find a way hopefully.

All the best

Eamonn and Siobhan

Hi Eamonn and Siobhan You lucky devils!:)
I would like if ye can get a chance to post about it what the mood about the place is like as it all heads into history?

thecommander wrote: »

I got an email from Boards while out about this thread, couldn't see the photos. Thought there was a bit of inside information on something that was wrong with STS132. Rushed home from the gig and saw these pics. Thanks for them, but you gave me a scare!

Lol thecommander,it's My job! I have been appointed by NASA as the official Shuttle scare the pants off people flying out to see a launch Director!:);)

spideog7 wrote: »

Aren't all those photos of the space shuttle Discovery??

Yes indeed You are right!!!:o,I gotta stop working nights:(

That was STS-128 Discovery whose mission was to bring the the Multi Purpose Logistics Module{Leanardo}to resupply the International Space Station and bring 'garbage' and Science experiments back to Earth.

The Spacewalks{EVA's}were mostly dedicated to preperations for the arriaval of Node 3{Tranquility}and Cupola.They hit a minor snag when two electrical connections would not 'mate',They ducktaped it and 129 with an adapter connected the wiring within an hour of it's first EVA.
STS-128 lasted just short of 14 days and landed at Edwards.

Up until recently Discovery was to be the very last Shuttle and was deliberatly going to land at Edwards,fly from west to East coast on the back of a 747 as a 'last hurrah' from the STS Programme in september, but it now looks as Endeavour will have that honour as it's payload will not be ready until at least November,Their is even some 'crazy talk' about an STS-135 supported by Soyuz's as rescue Vehicles.They have a lot of dilemas:(
So in the event that Discovery{133} will not be forced to land at Edwards the pictures are at least valid as 'the last time Discovery piggybacked across the entire US.'

also have been hearing that a feasability study has been done and concluded that the Space Shuttle that never flew{Enterprise}could at an affordable cost be moved to a lesser known museum to accept one of the Orbitors that has actually flown.

My Sig used to read :I NEVER SAID I WAS PERFECT!

I think i might change it back to that!:o:o:D

I thought just for one STS thread an entire mission overview would be worthy of posting,and no better one than this held on Monday.{Their is nothing on the NASA TV Scedule to indicate that there will be any TV coverage of tomorrows 'final deciscions.

It is a long video which if time can be spared is worth watching in it's entirety{fierce workload for this crew!}

The one to watch is the last guy on the right.Now in charge of launch intergration.He has flown seven Shuttle missions of which five were on Atlantis,Astronaut Jerry Ross.He kicks in at about 34 minutes into the video,also 48.and 58.It is the closest i have seen to somebody letting the diplomatic face down and criticising the new direction.

Just two items of note over the weekend:
A progress resupply partialy failed as it approached the ISS and by all accounts a Cosmonaut done a brilliant job of taking over its controls from the ISS and safely docking it.

The problem with the Nitrogen and amonia blockage that were of concern after 131 fitted the new tank has been solved by signals sent by the team on the ground,So a big reliefe to the launch manifest team:)

Great News for Yous going to see the launch!:).lots of sources saying the press conference that will pull all the drip info from the FRR live on NASA TV at 10PM (Irish time)5PM EDT,proably plenty of repeats of it for anyone reading this too late.

thecommander wrote: »

Just booked flights.

As LL would say in his lucid moments "GO on ya good thing":D
I dont use Twitter,will You have no way of posting on boards that You know of when You get there,or do you not know?
When You planning to travel?Can You stay for the five days that have four opportunities for launch?

PM me Your twitter name and i will set up an account to listen in:)?

Beeker wrote: »

Hope your flight to the US works out Commander:( Ash getting in the way:eek:

Beaky You are indeed a true friend to Me!
You have lifted My reputation as Chief Party pooper,prophet of doom and four horses of the Apocolypse in one fell swoop.!
Thank You,It was SUCH a heavy burden to Me!:p:p:D

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/112497main_image_feature_303_ajh_full.jpg

Here's Lookin' at You, Discovery!

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao used a digital camera April 6 to photograph the rollout of the Space Shuttle Discovery at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from an altitude of 220 statute miles. Chiao captured the rollout at 4:35 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time as the Station flew directly over the launch site. Visible in the image are the Shuttle’s two launch pads at Launch Complex 39. Discovery’s launch pad, 39-B, is on the left.

lord lucan wrote: »

Could you not find any bigger pictures Ynotdu?:p[/QUOTE/}

See now LL,You must have been on the panel that selected Augustine for the commission.I was on the shortlist for the job but did'nt President Obama pass Me over.what a mistake!! as I at least would have made recommendations based on the BIG PICTURE!!!!!!!:pac::p

smashin photo above ynotdu and would agree with you about the cahoonas!

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-3]Creamer, Kotov and Noguchi. Credit: NASA[/SIZE][/FONT]

Originally parked at the Earth-facing port of the station's Zarya module, the Soyuz's relocation was a critical pre-requisite for Atlantis' upcoming construction mission. The shuttle is bringing the Russian Mini Research Module 1, or Rassvet, that will be permanently attached to that Zarya port.

The new module has a dual role of accommodating a room for conducting science and serving as a docking compartment for future visiting vehicles. Now that the station has grown, Rassvet will give a lengthy extension away from other structures when spacecraft approach for docking.
With Kotov at the controls, Soyuz TMA-17 departed Zarya at 9:26 a.m. EDT while flying 220 miles over northern Africa. A camera on the capsule's nose afforded the crew the chance to inspect the docking port and ensured it's clear of obstructions or debris for Rassvet.
The capsule backed a safe distance away from the station's underside, completed a roll maneuver, then flew around to the backside of the complex to align with the rear port on the Zvezda module.
Russian flight controllers outside Moscow gave the cosmonaut approval to begin the final approach as orbital nighttime began. The spacecraft flew a tight corridor to successful latch ahold of the station again at 9:53 a.m. EDT over the Pacific southeast of Japan.
Leak and pressure checks will take a couple of orbits to complete before the hatchway can be opened around 12:40 p.m. EDT for the crew to float back inside the station. The Soyuz TMA-17 capsule, which launched them to the outpost last December, will remain at the Zvezda port until Kotov, Creamer and Noguchi depart the station on June 1 for return to Earth.

and weather for fridays launch is currently a 70% GO!

Beeker wrote: »

Great shot ynotdu! but can you tell us which flight this was the rollout for?
Give you something to research while at work:D

Hmmmm Beeker You {impolite word for Testicle}Ya knew exactly what You were doing there did'nt You?

There were five shuttle launchs between April 27th 2005 and and August the 27th 1985(five in 122 days ,and a total of nine STS launchs in the year,surely the record?)

Given that the picture was taken on April the 6th 1985 from expedition 10 aboard the ISS that returned to Earth on April 24th on a Soyuz, and the next Shuttle launch was on April 12th it would have been six days from roll-out to Launch!:eek:

Next one was on April 29th 1985 but IT was called Challenger,from pad 39A!

So it was STS-51G Discovery launched from pad B June 17th 1985,mission time 7 days+1 hour with a payload of Satellites.and landed at Edwards! Humph!!!

unless of course NASA put the wrong caption under the photo in which case it would have been STS-51B Challenger on April 29 as above
QED.

Any day now You or our lost and beloved Lord Lucan will answer why NASA always seemed to prefer pad 39A first asked of Yiz around the time of the launch of Sputnik:rolleyes:

and You buddy will answer what the shortest ever EVA by a Shuttle Astronaut was!

thecommander wrote: »

Sorry to interrupt you boys.

Flight is tomorrow morning, taking off at 12 noon. Landing around 4.30/5ish and straight into car to head out to Titusville. Its my birthday too so heading for a drink and some dinner, nothing too late and then up at 7am for collection with tour company to head off to KSC. I want to get some nighttime shots of the shuttle lit up from Titusville while there aswell.

Thanks for all the info lads, its been beautiful. I'll update tomorrow and tomorrow night with whats going on. I've been told theres no wifi/internet in KSC so once I leave the hotel you'll be on your own, Im sure you'll cope.

Lol at the sorry to interrupt bit:)and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

to use NASA terms.GOD-SPEED You on Your flight&GOD-SPEED Atlantis!!!!!
If nothing else You will be standing less than four miles from the very spot and pad were Man first set off to land on thr Moon!!!! I envy You!:)

Not forgetting Sept 1981 hopefully You can post as well.
Not forgetting Stargate hopefully You are out there lurking and We hear from You.!

The time(s)the STS threads on boards really lit up was when the Shuttle and its Orange tank could be seen over Ireland Streaking across the sky just 17 mins after launch.I will never forget that sight!

LL found a way to post from KSC but i really don't know how?

I am in danger of not having internet access on Friday Myself!:eek:

best of luck thecommander!

The VAB can be clearly seen at middle bottom of pic.
https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/218723/113759.jpg