Updates STS-135 Updates

[Kyle]

Here's my hypothetical view on an STS-136.
If STS-135 Atlantis, STS-136 would likely go to Endeavour as its most recently completed its OMDP in 2007.
Q1 FY2012.
MPLM Raffaello
4 Person crew, like STS-135.
Modified ET-94

Also, regarding crew for STS-135 if it flies, I suspect it would be a recently flown crew who has MPLM experiance. Can't be STS-133, as they would have to be training for a mission in October and a mission in June 2011. STS-131 would be a great bet..
My speculation would be:
Commander: Alan Poindexter
Pilot: James Dutton
MS1: Richard Mastracchio
MS2: "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger

If Not then this would also be a good pick
Commander: Chris Ferguson
Pilot: Doug Hurley
Mission Specialist 1: Christopher Cassidy
Mission Specialist 2: Randolph Bresnik

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "Plan created to inspect Atlantis' WLE Spars, required for additional flight".

 

[Solar424]

Some pretty unique photos of the final set of SRBs being removed from their rail carriages in the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF) at KSC.

These aren't necessarily the last SRB's. If Project Constellation goes through, the Ares I and Ares V will use modified SRB sections.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

These aren't necessarily the last SRB's. If Project Constellation goes through, the Ares I and Ares V will use modified SRB sections.

Heh, like that's ever going to happen!

 

[Orbinaut 92]

Personally, I really hope NASA is saved. I think it's completely regressive and ignorant to stop space exploration, especially after NASA has achieved so much success. In my world, I'd keep the shuttle flying to ferry astronauts and cargo to and from the space station, and I'd also have a moon/Mars program.

 

[Xyon]

Last I heard, NASA wasn't being retired, just the shuttle fleet.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "STS-135: NASA managers discuss mission outline ahead of approval decision".

"It was expected that the decision whether to fly STS-135 as a planned mission would be made by the end of June, however, the agency continues to evaluate the addition of STS-135 to the manifest and is now expected to make the decision in August."

.....

Also noted was a slight refinement to the notional launch date, slipping four days to June 28, 2011, for a 11+1+2 mission that is without any shuttle crew EVAs (due to crew size) – although alternative options are under consideration.

"The assumption for STS-135 flying only four Shuttle crew members is that there will be no planned EVAs. However, it is unclear whether an EVA could be planned using ISS crew members."

.....

"There have been discussions about further optimizing the mission by either adding or protecting for additional payloads, namely Goddard Space Flight Center technology demonstration payloads, or possibly ISS ORUs (if required) which could be integrated on a LMC (Lightweight Multi Purpose Experiment Support Structure (MPESS) Carrier) which would be installed in the cargo bay aft of the MPLM", continued the notes.

Those payloads will be decided over the coming weeks, likely as part of the approval decision – although the late June 2011 flight may allow for launching the VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) engine, which would be tested by aiding the ISS altitude control – such as reboosts.

The engine – otherwise know as an Electro-thermal Plasma Thruster or Electro-thermal Magnetoplasma engine – uses radio waves to ionize and to heat propellant and magnetic fields to accelerate the resulting plasma to generate thrust.

.....

Such assumptions include the need to move to a Flight Day 4 rendezvous and docking, TPS (Thermal Protection System) inspection timelines and the length of the docked phase to the mission.

Woo-Hoo, VASIMR on ISS!!! :thumbup: :speakcool: :woohoo:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Here's some images of SSME-3 (Space Shuttle Main Engine-3) removal in OPF-1 (Orbiter Processing Facility-1).

Hi-res version.

Hi-res version.

More images can be found here.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NOTE: I have just re-named this thread from "STS-335/135 Updates" to "STS-135 Updates", as it looks fairly certain that this mission will now fly – I’ve been wanting & hoping to do that for ages!
:thumbup: :speakcool: :hotcool: :10sign: :11sign: :woohoo:


My speculation on the flight crew is as follows:

Chris Ferguson will probably be CDR, as he is about due for another flight, and he is fairly high ranking in the Astronaut Office to fly the last Shuttle mission.

Looking at recent PLT assignments, Tony Antonelli (previous flight STS-119) just flew on STS-132. Next after STS-119 was STS-125, whose PLT was Greg "Ray J" Johnson. However, Johnson retired from the Astronaut Office last month (I bet he wishes he hadn't now!), and so we go to the next mission after STS-125, STS-127, whose PLT was Doug Hurley.

It's fair to assume that the two MSs will have had recent MPLM experience. However, if we break down "MPLM experience" into a specific skill, then what it really means is skills in transferring & stowing items aboard the ISS. Another thing to consider, as there would be no LON for 135 (the crew would return on the Soyuz if needed), is that MSs with recent Soyuz experience would be desirable. So, we need MSs with recent experience in transferring & stowing items aboard the ISS, and recent Soyuz experience.

Essentially, that means any US long-duration crewmember who was aboard the ISS during the STS-131/19A stage would be in line for STS-135.

Therefore, my best guess at the crew is:
CDR: Chris Ferguson.
PLT: Doug Hurley.
MS-1: Tracy Caldwell-Dyson (a bonus of Caldwell-Dyson is that she has previous Shuttle experience, and will have EVA experience when she returns from Expedition 24 on 24th September).
MS-2: Tim Creamer.

I'd like to see Mike Massimino visit the ISS, but I don't think he'd be able to get up to speed on ISS systems in only 10 months.

I should think we'll know for sure this time next month!

---------- Post added at 05:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------

Also, NASA had better start putting MPLM FM-2 (Flight Module-2) "Raffaello" back together again - they've kinda cannibalised most of its parts for the PMM!

 

[Kyle]

I change my crew vote too..

Sturckow, Dutton, Anderson, Dyson.

My logic: Entire crew has loading experience with MPLM that is recent. Sturckow has flown 4 times, so he already is quite experienced with shuttles and can train quickly for this mission, Dutton and Anderson flew 131 together and Dyson is currently on ISS and she was load master for transfers between SpaceHAB and ISS on STS-118 and helped with transfers on STS-131.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASASpaceFlight: "NASA Updates STS-335 Planning and Fleet OMDP Lifetime Requirements".

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight.com: Payload planning pre-empts an imminent NASA decision on STS-135:

A decision to change Atlantis’ upcoming mission call sign from STS-335 to STS-135 – at least at the full planning level – is expected “shortly”, as Shuttle mission-related departments pre-empt the official go-ahead by building up their plans to finalize the payloads that would fly on the notional June, 2011 mission.
...

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: NASA managers approve STS-135 mission planning for June 28, 2011 launch:

Atlantis has gained one final mission, flying STS-135 to the International Space Station (ISS), with a launch date targeting June 28, 2011. Pending required funding allocation, Atlantis will carry a packed Multi-purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier (LMC), on a 11+1+2 with a four person crew.
...

:woohoo:

 

[Kyle]

Looks like STS-135's a real mission now.

Crew to be selected September 14th.

 

[andysim]

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/ STS-135!

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now: NASA considering June 2011 for possible shuttle flight.

 

[Kyle]

I don't get the 'if' part, I understand the funding part but look at it this way. If they delay LON-335 to Jun. 2011, and STS-134 launches in Feb. 2011 you will have 5 months with 12 people on the space station. If they delay LON its obvious they're adding STS-135 to me.

 

[clickypens]

I imagine they're going to get Atlantis ready for LON and put it on the pad and everything, then take it back to the VAB to get ready for 135

 

[DaveS]

I imagine they're going to get Atlantis ready for LON and put it on the pad and everything, then take it back to the VAB to get ready for 135

There's no need to roll the vehicle back to the VAB, payload installation into the orbiter will occur at the pad.

Atlantis will be fully processed for either STS-335 or STS-135 as both will see the payloads installed into the orbiter at the pad.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "Katrina-damaged tank expected ahead of schedule".