|
Author
|
Topic: STS-134: External Tank-122 (ET-122) insignia
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-09-2010 10:50 AM
   
From the collectSPACE Today in Space History blog: The storm and the space shuttleThe last of the space shuttle external tanks to leave the Michoud Assembly Facility this fall will have a special insignia added to its access door in recognition of its unique history. The tank, ET-122, was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina when the storm came ashore near the New Orleans-based NASA facility. During ET-122's subsequent restoration, Lockheed Martin developed a motivational logo for its workforce who were completing the repairs, showing the shuttle led by its external tank flying through the eye of the storm. As a nod to their effort, NASA requested the logo be painted on the intertank access door before ET-122 departs Michoud this September for the Kennedy Space Center where it will be readied to fly should the final shuttle mission need rescue. 
Credit: Lockheed Martin. Excerpt from the NASA change order...PURPOSETo commemorate the unique history of ET-122, NASA has requested that the special ET-122 insignia be applied to the Intertank Access Door. BACKGROUND
ET-122 was heavily damaged at MAF during Hurricane Katrina while its Return to Flight (RTF) modifications were underway in the MAF VAB. After an extensive assessment of its condition, NASA provided direction to repair the ET and incorporate selected modifications to return the vehicle to flight condition. During the repair process, Lockheed Martin graphics department created a unique ET-122 insignia to be used for motivational purposes associated to the vehicle's restoration. NASA has requested Lockheed Martin apply this insignia to the ET-122 Intertank Access Door by an appropriate method to commemorate the unique history of ET-122. ET-122 will serve as the launch-on-need tank for the final space shuttle mission, STS-134, which is flying on ET-138. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 06-09-2010 12:23 PM
Great design and nice recognition of the efforts made at Michoud on this tank. In the bottom right corner is what appears to be the Japanese Space Agency's (JAXA) symbol. Does this signify anything? |
bthumble
Member Posts: 267
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 06-09-2010 12:28 PM
I believe the star in the corner is the Lockheed Martin logo. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-09-2010 12:44 PM
Indeed, the star in the insignia represents Lockheed.  |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 06-09-2010 12:51 PM
Doesn't flying the shuttle through the eye of the storm violate several launch criteria? Unless, of course, there's a national security reason.  But I bet John Young could do it, at least in the sim. |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 655
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
|
posted 06-09-2010 01:04 PM
Or if you need to rescue three marooned astronauts. |
Mike Isbell
Member Posts: 551
From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA
Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted 06-09-2010 03:23 PM
As I recall, at the time of the launch of the XRV lifting body, it was already known that the remaining oxygen aboard the Apollo spacecraft would allow for the rescue of no more than two of the marooned astronauts. |
music_space
Member Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
|
posted 06-10-2010 03:53 PM
I'm not too much into insignias, but this one is way cool! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 09-28-2010 03:50 PM
ET-122 will serve as the launch-on-need tank for the final space shuttle mission, STS-134, which is flying on ET-138. As noted in this gallery, to protect for a possible additional mission, ET-122 has been reassigned to fly STS-134 (leaving ET-138 to fly the potential STS-135). Also, as pictured in the gallery, the ET-122 insignia is now in place on the intertank access door. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 04-08-2011 06:18 PM
Seen here, the ET-122 logo is emblazoned on Endeavour's STS-134 external tank intertank door.
Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
|
posted 04-08-2011 08:10 PM
That would make a great patch. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 04-08-2011 10:26 PM
Shame something that artistic is just going to burn up in the atmo... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-04-2011 12:05 PM
The ET-122 logo seen as the tank separated from Endeavour.
Credit: NASA |
advertisement