SSU Development Thread (2.0 to 3.0)
- Thread starter Urwumpe
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GLS
Well-known member
There must be a way out of the tunnel/airlock system, and it's not using the ODS hatch. That's why STS 91 and 118 carried the TAA.
Not just those missions. Any mission which had something obstructing the EVA hatch required the TAA. So for the ISS missions here's the list:
- STS-88 (special case, TAA required to put the External Airlock/ODS in the correct position, for N1/FGB dockings as the RMS doesn't reach the standard Bay 2 location)
- STS-96
- STS-101
- STS-106
- STS-102
- STS-116
- STS-118
GLS
Well-known member
My point exactly.
Donamy
Addon Developer
I've seen pictures of both grey and black, especially the Atlantis exhibit. Two different ODS's pehaps. I agree with the fading argument. I've seen some pictures, where the pma insulation looks alost white in contrast with the ODS.
The RMS and External Airlock/ODS on the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit are mockups. NASA kept the External Airlocks/ODS units from all 3 vehicles for possible later uses. If you take a close look, you'll notice alot of of differences between the mockups and the actual flight-articles.
For example, the External Airlock/ODS mockup used on Atlantis seems to be a solid one-piece cylindrical design while the real units are separate and the top section of the airlock is of a conical shape.
Only the OBSS and the Ku band DAs are the real flight articles.
Compare these photos of the mockup with photos of the real flight articles:
GLS
Well-known member
Wow.... that looks bad. In the last image it's very noticeable that the ring isn't aligned. :facepalm:
GLS
Well-known member
That's another good story.... :facepalm:
EDIT: oh wait, it was Pathfinder that got the good treatment. :S
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The hatches are always installed no matter what. If you remember, Endeavour had some problems passing her leak checks prior to the start of the launch countdown. In an effort to isolate where the leak was (SpaceHAB, airlock, orbiter crew module) they closed all the hatches and eventually isolated it to Positive Pressure Relief Valve-B (PPRV-B). They R&Red it with the unit donated by Atlantis as they would have time to fix the faulty unit from Endeavour and install it into Atlantis as she wasn't going to fly until December'07 (she had just returned from EDW concluding STS-117).
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Here's the post where I outlined the hatch set up: http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?p=512288&postcount=1970
Donamy
Addon Developer
Why don't you answer the question. That post is confusing.
By what I read, you are saying that STS-118 had 7 hatches, which I highly doubt.
Why do you doubt it? In the event of a leak, you must be able to seal off the affected module.
Yes but you also need to close off the leaking module so that you lose all your atmosphere before you can de-orbit and land. And getting into the LES/ACES is not a fast procedure. This is idea that was implemented into the freon coolant loops, that the leaking section can be isolated and not threaten the rest of the mission.
GLS
Well-known member
I have reservations about a forward TAA hatch, as there's always another hatch immediatly forward of it.
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