Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents


Thread Closed  Topic Closed
  collectSPACE: Messages
  Space Shuttles - Space Station
  STS-135: Extending shuttle by one mission (Page 2)

Post New Topic  
profile | register | preferences | faq | search


This topic is 2 pages long:   1  2 
next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   STS-135: Extending shuttle by one mission
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-02-2010 05:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by PowerCat:
While two replacement units are aboard, I'm sure it would have been better to not be down one unit already before the shuttle program closes.
As ISS program manager Mike Suffredini confirmed during today's press conference, there are in fact four spare pump modules aboard the station. NASA was mistaken when they originally reported just two (one was launched with STS-121; one on STS-127 and two on STS-129).

According to Suffredini, their projections are that three spares will cover the expected lifetime of the station. Even so, were another needed, it could be launched on JAXA's HTV or SpaceX's Dragon.

quote:
Originally posted by OV-105:
Could the OOS unit be returned on 133 or 134 fixed and be reflown on 135?
According to Suffredini, there is not enough room to fly the support hardware needed to return the broken pump module on either STS-133 or STS-134. Should Congress and the White House support adding STS-135, NASA would consider bringing the replaced unit back to Earth.

Aeropix
Member

Posts: 41
From: Houston
Registered: Apr 2010

posted 08-03-2010 05:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aeropix   Click Here to Email Aeropix     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What other potential cargoes are they considering for STS-135? Are there some additional outsize or extremely heavy items that would not fit in another vehicle? What kinds of things could the shuttle bring back from ISS on an extra mission (STS-135) that would best make full use of the shuttle's unique downmass capability?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-03-2010 02:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Aeropix:
What other potential cargoes are they considering for STS-135?
Payload planning is said to be notional right now, outside of flying the MPLM that will have already been prepared for the STS-134 LON.

Managers are considering flying a cargo carrier as well, though any activities that would require a spacewalk are questionable given the size (four) of the crew.

There's been some speculation about flying a technology demonstrator, such as Ad Astra's VASIMR engine, but sources say that the hardware won't be ready in time. It is possible that hardware needed to support the engine, or other advance payloads, could fly -- freeing up future upmass on HTV, Dragon and Cygnus.

The primary purpose of STS-135 would be to stock the ISS with more supplies, making it easier to maintain over its planned lifetime.

SpaceAngel
Member

Posts: 307
From: Maryland
Registered: May 2010

posted 08-12-2010 03:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAngel   Click Here to Email SpaceAngel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
How long before we hear STS-135 will be added?

OV-105
Member

Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 08-12-2010 08:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To use a line from "The Right Stuff", "No bucks, no Buck Rodgers". The Senate has given an ok but the house has not yet.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 08-21-2010 12:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Contrary to what some other sites are reporting, NASA has not yet manifested STS-135; the agency has only set a target date for planning purposes, as CBS's Bill Harwood writes:
Awaiting word on whether one additional shuttle flight will be approved by Congress and the Obama administration, NASA managers are protectively considering June 28, 2011, for launch of shuttle Atlantis on a rescue mission if a major problem threatens the crew of the final planned shuttle flight in late February. If not, and if NASA gets the required funding, the agency would launch Atlantis on an actual space station resupply mission to close out the shuttle program...

NASA managers began processing an official "change request" Friday that would move the rescue/resupply flight to June 28, 2011. If the additional flight is funded, the mission designation would change to STS-135.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-03-2010 05:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
CBS News: Possible June shuttle flight could be 'in limbo' until end of year
Protecting their options while awaiting word on funding for a final shuttle mission next June, NASA managers believe flight processing probably can continue through the end of the year with the shuttle program's current budget or under a continuing resolution. But after that, sources say, additional money will be required or the hoped-for flight may not be possible...

In notes from a recent shuttle management meeting, senior managers were told "we could be in limbo on STS-135 until the New Year starts, until we see what the CR (continuing resolution) language is, talk about funding, and talk more about mission content."

"The team should really focus on making sure we have preserved the options, and have done the work required to be able to fly," the notes said. "Actually getting the agreement among all the different stakeholders to go fly it is still a ways away."

OV-105
Member

Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 09-04-2010 12:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It would be a waste to have a shuttle that was ready to go and not let it go.

Delta7
Member

Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007

posted 09-10-2010 03:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Delta7   Click Here to Email Delta7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
One would think that NASA would have to have astronauts begin training for the mission before the end of the year if the expectation is to fly during 2011. Even if it were unofficial with an unannounced crew. The other option would be to recycle members of the STS-133 or 134 crews immediately after they fly.

Of course, one could be wrong.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-10-2010 04:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA is expected to assign the crew of the STS-134 Launch-On-Need flight, STS-335, on Sept. 14. The assignment will be internal only; no press release or announcement is planned.

If and when an STS-135 flight is approved, the STS-335 crew members will become that mission's crew.

Delta7
Member

Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007

posted 09-10-2010 05:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Delta7   Click Here to Email Delta7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Will that information be available to the public, or a tightly guarded secret?

Lou Chinal
Member

Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007

posted 09-10-2010 06:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Talk about a never ending soap opera, this is worse than 'All My Children'.

This is a NASA tradition: MR-5, MA-10, Apollo's 18,19, 20, Skylab II. I just hope STS-135 doesn't join them.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-10-2010 08:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Delta7:
Will that information be available to the public, or a tightly guarded secret?
Like all previous LON crews who were assigned without any public fanfare, I am sure the STS-335 crew assignments will be public knowledge as well...

dogcrew5369
Member

Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-10-2010 09:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dogcrew5369   Click Here to Email dogcrew5369     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So it would definitely be a four person crew? Takes me back to 1982 or 83.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-10-2010 09:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
STS-135, if approved, is constrained to four crew members given the logistics for their rescue by Soyuz, should that become necessary.

music_space
Member

Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 09-10-2010 09:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for music_space   Click Here to Email music_space     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I thought that you needed at least two crew members to pilot Soyuz... But maybe not with TMA-M?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-10-2010 09:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As I understand it, since the TMA revision in 2003, Soyuz only requires one pilot.

(Recall that Roscosmos has authorized a fifth Soyuz to fly in 2011 that will carry one pilot and two spaceflight participants [whether self- or nation-funded still to be decided].)

Tom
Member

Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 09-11-2010 07:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tom   Click Here to Email Tom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Didn't early versions of Soyuz (3 and 4) carry a single cosmonaut?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-11-2010 09:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Indeed, the early Soyuz did fly with one crew member, but with upgrades came complexity that for a time required (at least as I have heard it described) two crew members to fly.

Jay Chladek
Member

Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007

posted 09-12-2010 01:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The constraints on Soyuz for two crewmembers was likely due to the introduction of the early Sokol pressure suits. As I understand it, the equipment required for the pressure suits was placed in the position normally occupied by the center crewmember, which I believe was where the single pilot would normally sit. As a result, two crewmembers on either side would be needed to hit buttons on the panel that are out of reach to the guy on the other side of the spacecraft. The constraints of operating in a pressure suit may have also been a factor.

Earlier design Soyuz craft were rated for one person occupation as Komarov flew solo and the plan was for Soyuz 2 to launch and transfer two crewmembers over. After Komarov's fatal reentry and delay with unmanned test flights, Soyuz 4 and 5 launched with two crewmembers transferring from Soyuz 5 to 4, leaving Cosmonaut Volynov to come back alone on his harrowing front first reentry. Soyuz 11 made 3 person flight without pressure suits on Soyuz craft academic.

One minor constraint wrinkle to the STS-135 crew (if they fly as 135) is the crewmembers will have to be likely fitted for Sokol pressure suits and seat liners (or have them already) and be small enough to fit in the craft in case the unthinkable happens and they do have to come home on Soyuz. Scott Parazynski got scrubbed from his Mir flight as he was too big to fit into the Soyuz TM design, but the internal size of the TMA based Soyuz was increased a little to allow for taller astronauts to fit in the couches. I would anticipate the mission specialists to be long duration ISS veterans, or at least in training for ISS flights and already fitted for Sokol suits. The pilots will be a question mark, unless there are already some ISS training astronauts who are still available for shuttle commands. Scott Kelly would be an obvious choice, except he will be otherwise occupied in orbit on the ISS.

Hmm, are Mark and Scott Kelly really that close as identical twins that Scott's measurements for his liner and Sokol suit could be used for Mark in a pinch?

Delta7
Member

Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007

posted 09-12-2010 05:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Delta7   Click Here to Email Delta7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If STS-135 is approved, the crew would have to undergo some level of Soyuz training in Russia, a first for a Shuttle crew. That would add to to the training timeline as well, which could be a factor if the decision to fly drags on into next year.

Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 09-12-2010 03:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If there is an STS-135, my bet is that one of the crewmembers will be T.J. Creamer - he's already flown a long duration mission but not a short one, and has Soyuz training as well.

I could see Hurley on the crew, with one mission completed and a stint as Ops Director at Star City. Possibly Nyberg, who was to have flown on STS-132.

My personal favorite would be to see Foale, who has flown a long duration mission on both Mir and ISS, the only US astronaut to do so. He hasn't done a short duration ISS mission - and it would give him a seventh flight.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-12-2010 03:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
I could see Hurley on the crew, with one mission completed and a stint as Ops Director at Star City. Possibly Nyberg, who was to have flown on STS-132.
Per NASA rules, Hurley and Nyberg as a married couple could not fly together.

Delta7
Member

Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007

posted 09-13-2010 08:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Delta7   Click Here to Email Delta7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wonder if the apparent fact that Hurley and Nyberg have a young child would preclude both of them from training for a mission at the same time. Since Nyberg is apparently in queue for an ISS expedition, Hurley could have taken himself out of the running. We might see Butch Wilmore or Terry Virts get the PLT slot.

I think there'll be at least one surprise. I agree that T. J. Creamer is a very good bet.

My surprise prediction: Mark Polansky as CDR.

Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 09-13-2010 09:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For pilots and commanders, I was thinking of those in the last two classes who have flown only one flight and/or have some sort of experience at Star City. The list would then also include:

Greg Johnson
Kevin Ford (also a former Ops Director at Star City)
Terry Virts
Barry Wilmore

My surprise prediction: John Glenn will make another flight. Or John Young.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-13-2010 09:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Greg H. "Box" Johnson is pilot of STS-134.

It has been reported that Greg C. "Ray-J" Johnson has left the astronaut office but remains with NASA, returning to where he started, in flight operations at Ellington Field.

astro-nut
Member

Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 09-13-2010 04:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for astro-nut   Click Here to Email astro-nut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I, too, agree that T.J. Creamer will be a very good possibility. In the past I have predicted some crews correctly and there have been times when my predictions were wrong. We will wait until tomorrow to see who will get the last Shuttle flight. Thank you.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-13-2010 04:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by astro-nut:
We will wait until tomorrow to see who will get the last Shuttle flight.
Correction: we will wait until (at least) tomorrow to see who gets assigned to the launch on need flight for STS-134. It is far from a certainty at this point if STS-135 will fly.

chappy
Member

Posts: 231
From: Cardiff, S. Wales, UK
Registered: Apr 2006

posted 09-14-2010 05:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for chappy   Click Here to Email chappy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Let wait and see what happens after Sept. 14 to see if NASA have named the crew...

My guess for the CDR slot will be handed to Lee Archambault.

My surprise prediction will be John Young to fly again as a 'guest' of NASA, because he 'opened' the door in 1981, and he should have the honour to 'close' the door of the Space Shuttle Program, he deserves this opportunity to fly for the seventh and last time to go down in history of manned spaceflight.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-14-2010 05:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The STS-335 crew (and if approved to fly, STS-135 crew) has been announced. See: NASA assigns crew for final launch-on-need shuttle mission

Aeropix
Member

Posts: 41
From: Houston
Registered: Apr 2010

posted 10-03-2010 02:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aeropix   Click Here to Email Aeropix     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Seems like the STS-135 is "nearly" a sure thing now, or am I reading this wrong:

From The New American:

The NASA authorization bill, S. 3729, officially clears NASA to add one extra space shuttle flight to the two final missions already planned before the shuttle fleet is retired in 2011...
I guess they just need to wait til Obama signs the bill before officially announcing the STS-135 mission, or are there other obstacles to this flight even if the budget is approved?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-03-2010 09:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There are several things that need to happen before STS-135 can be added to the manifest.

The bill passed was only an authorization act. A corresponding appropriations bill needs to be passed funding the mission. One of the objections by some House members to the Senate bill is that it authorized STS-135 without mandating it be funded.

The authorization act requires NASA first demonstrate that the mission can be flown safely without a "launch on need" shuttle standing ready, so even if funded by an appropriations bill, the space agency needs to still work out the rescue options with its space station partners (namely Russia).

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-23-2010 01:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Unable to pass a 2011 federal budget, Congress instead approved a continuing resolution this week, which extends 2010 budget levels through March 4, 2011.

An internal memo written by NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, as republished by SpaceRef, confirms the space agency is still pressing ahead with plans to fly the STS-135 mission.

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-267) directs NASA to conduct the above referenced mission. As of this date, the Congress has not cleared final FY 2011 appropriations for the Federal government, including NASA. However, the FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act provides funding for most Federal departments and agencies, including NASA, through March 4, 2011, at FY 2010 enacted levels. Funding made available in this measure will enable NASA to work towards the STS-135 mission.

For this reason, I ask that you continue planning and preparations efforts to execute this mission in late June 2011 as currently planned. This includes maintaining the requisite workforce to safely conduct this mission and extending contracts if necessary. We must focus on STS-135 as a real mission as well as a Launch-On-Need capability for the STS-134. Without clarity in focus now we reduce the probability of safely executing this critical mission. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clear direction for the teams. STS-135 is critical to health of the International Space Station.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-11-2011 03:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier provided an update regarding STS-135's manifest status during a media briefing:
In terms of STS-135, we're going to change the focus a little bit. You know, we've been calling it STS-335, a contingency launch-on-need flight. We're going to start calling it now STS-135 and John [Shannon, space shuttle program manager] will do that either this week or next week in the PRCB [Program Review Control Board].

That doesn't mean a whole lot to folks on the outside but what it means to us is we're kind of mentally shifting gears to where we are going to start thinking about STS-135 as a real flight. Get our head back in the game, make sure there is nothing we are missing from a manifesting standpoint and we'll figure out the right time through that effort of when we want to go fly that flight.

As the manifest is laid out right now, it supports the June 28th date. We know technically, Mike [Suffredini, space station program manager] would like to move some things. We've got to go look at the overall budget, look at the workforce, look at staffing and figure out the right location to put that flight.

But you'll see us start talking about that flight as being more and more real. We're going to make sure we've got the tank ready. Make sure we've got the workforce to support all the way through the end of June. We'll make sure we've got the right training and right plans in place.

So you'll start seeing a shift to that from where we've been treating it kind of a contingency flight to actually we're going to start mentally thinking about it as more of a real flight. So you'll see that over the next couple of weeks as we start moving through the program boards.

Regarding the space station program's desire to "move some things," as referenced by Gerstenmaier, Suffredini elaborated:
We would prefer to have 135, if we were to get it, as late in the fiscal year as we can. Just from a spacing perspective and to make sure we have as many of the large ORUs [orbital replacement units] onboard as we can get.

Some of them are being manufactured. We've picked up the pace of manufacturing some of our larger ORUs in order to try to make that launch date.

So our preference has been towards the end of the fiscal year. We've been kind of chatting about a late August timeframe, if everyone else can support that.

Editor's note: On Jan. 20, NASA baselined STS-135, beginning preparations to fly Atlantis on the 135th and final space shuttle flight. With that milestone, a new topic has been started.


This topic is 2 pages long:   1  2 

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Open Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement