Shuttle to service Hubble

Beeker

Shuttle flight STS-125 due to launch on Monday May 11 at 19:01 {Irish time}. Shuttle Atlantis will carry aloft 7 astronauts to carry out the final servicing/upgrading of the Hubble space telescope.

Kevster

I've been tracking the build-up to this for a long time now it feels. It was delayed a few times as I recall. As far as I recall too, Hubble is at quite some distance from the Earth and this poses some extra risk in that there wouldn't be enough time to scramble a 'recovery' shuttle in the case where the Hubble-servicing shuttle fails...

??

Beeker

Kevster wrote: »

I've been tracking the build-up to this for a long time now it feels. It was delayed a few times as I recall. As far as I recall too, Hubble is at quite some distance from the Earth and this poses some extra risk in that there wouldn't be enough time to scramble a 'recovery' shuttle in the case where the Hubble-servicing shuttle fails...

??

Yeah this flight will be up to an altitude of 350 miles, about twice the normal height. This in itsself is not any more risky. The risk comes from the fact that in the event of a problem they have no "safe haven". The space station is normally used as the safe haven but its orbit is not reachable from where the hubble is due to fuel. Shuttle flights to the station, if they have a proble that prevents the orbiter from getting home would wait on the station while NASA prepare another shuttle for launch to rescue the crew. This can take several weeks but there are enough resourses on the station to sustain a crew that long. In this case with the station not available, NASA has prepared a second shuttle {Endeavour}as a rescue vehicle and it is already sitting on the second pad just incase it is needed. Image below shows both Shuttle . Atlantis is the one on the right, Pad 39-A, same pad by the way that was used for all the Apollo moon landing Saturn 5 launches. Atlantis will be launched Monday evening. and on the left is Endeavour on pad 39-B.

For anyone interested Discovery channel are showing the launch live in a special programme starting at 18:30 monday evening.

Kevster

Wow - Discovery really are showing the launch. That's a first. I usually just watch it on Sky News Active or on NASA TV. Thanks for explaining about the other thing (regarding using the ISS as a 'safe haven').

Firefox10

I understand the Hubble servicing missions is one of the riskyiest Missions the NASA carries out and the the rescue mission, should it have to be made is in itself is very risky and dangrous. I will be watching this closely during the week.

Sleipnir

5 minutes after launch, 246 miles downrange and 61 miles up. What a machine!
Great launch.

Trev M

I have to say the guy presenting the show was a complete moron, he was interruping the guests, bloody annoying.

Kevster

Christ, I can't believe that I forgot about this! I even got home at 6:30 on the dot in time to see it. Damn exams taking my mind off the things that really matter in life...:p

passive

Dammit... I missed that

Hal1

passive wrote: »

Dammit... I missed that

"...and I don't wanna miss a thing" :pac:

Sleipnir

Trev M wrote: »

I have to say the guy presenting the show was a complete moron, he was interruping the guests, bloody annoying.

I was watching it on NASA T.V. which is a bit more involved. Ice crew walkie-talkie's etc.

12bore

RTE website is showing NASA tv at the moment, shuttle docking with hubble.

Sleipnir

Grabbed it good so now they're manuveuring the hubble into position.
Live feed at http://www.nasa.gov/55644main_NASATV_Windows.asx

Trev M

Very cool , I have to say this is the first launch Ive watched and it really sparked my interest....must remember to hit the Nasa site next time !

Sleipnir wrote: »

I was watching it on NASA T.V. which is a bit more involved. Ice crew walkie-talkie's etc.

Sleipnir

Trev M wrote: »

Very cool , I have to say this is the first launch Ive watched and it really sparked my interest....must remember to hit the Nasa site next time !

Well, EVA number one start at about 13:16 Irish time and goes on for about 6.5 hours so there should be a fair bit to see.
There a T.V. schedule for this mission http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html
just don't forget that we're at GMT+1.

Beeker

Flight going very well so far. Todays EVA {spacewalk} is the first of 5 due over the next week.:)

Sleipnir

The shuttle's flash evaporator system's primary A controller has shut down. They swapped to system B, which is working fine. They will likely ask the crew to go back and try A later. Signature readings indicate that it might be ice in the core. A core flush may alleviate the ice.

The flash evaporators reject heat loads from cooling loops during ascent and reentry. They are located in the shuttle's aft fuselage.

This issue is being worked by ground teams and does not pose an immediate concern. It also does not in any way impact today's spacewalk.

Beeker

Great shot of the launch with Shuttle Endeavour waiting on pad B in case it is needed as a rescue ship.

jumpguy

Just a follow up on this spectacular mission. Hubble's WFC2 and Costar (it's "spectacles") are being put in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. I gotta visit that museum some day, they have loads of cool stuff.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8369323.stm