Last week I got to play Task Team Leader (TTL) for a console job. This meant I was in charge of coordinating with the Orbiter Test Conductor (OTC), Quality (QC), and the Technicians in the field. My role included talking on the net, monitoring the flow of the gaseous nitrogen (GN2) in the Ground Service Equipment (GSE) from the console computer, and commanding the solenoid valves.
During cart loading the week before we were having issues with one of the valves opening. It could have been a metering valve or a solenoid valve. The metering valve is person controlled right on the GSE where as the solenoid valve is controlled from the firing room through operator commands. These can be set to a sequencer to open and close at certain times which are more precise than what a human could do. Which is pretty important when you are dealing with hpypergolics. We were not sure which valve was having issues so we needed to route a flex hose from the metering valve to a gage on the other side of the solenoid. When we broke into the line at the metering valve and it was shown to be working we disconnected and tried using the solenoid. As it turns out it was working also. It must have just been a fluke in the system. There have not been too many problems with the solenoid valves so it is harder to figure out what the problem is. Could be that the magnetic pickups are gummed up. It will be something to look further into for the next loading.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Discovery Landing
On Wednesday 06 Nov. Discovery touched down at Kennedy Space Center at 13:01:18 (just as projected) from it's 15 day mission to the International Space Station. I was watching the live feed on NASA Tv all day up until landing eagerly waiting to see what would happen. I was absolutely astounded and couldn't help but laugh when I heard the controllers announce to the crew that they would begin to decelerate from Mach 22 to Mach 11. In less than an hour the orbiter screamed across North America from north-west Canada to central Florida.
At about 1250 I made my way outside (with almost everyone else in my building) to watch the bird land. For the first time ever, I got to hear the double sonic booms from re-entry. They were loud enough to set off car alarms in the parking lot.
I put in to get into the raffle to watch the landing from the runway but didn't win. So I was a little bitter that I would not be able to see Discovery in all her glory post landing. Much to my surprise on Thursday morning she was sitting outside Bay 3 waiting to get docked. Apparently there were some issues but I don't know the extent of them. I do know there were some issues later in the day when she was getting towed in. The system is measured by a laser. If the measurements are even a fraction of an inch off base the orbiter will be backed out of the bay and brought back in. NASA's misfortune made out for a great photo-op for me.
At about 1250 I made my way outside (with almost everyone else in my building) to watch the bird land. For the first time ever, I got to hear the double sonic booms from re-entry. They were loud enough to set off car alarms in the parking lot.
I put in to get into the raffle to watch the landing from the runway but didn't win. So I was a little bitter that I would not be able to see Discovery in all her glory post landing. Much to my surprise on Thursday morning she was sitting outside Bay 3 waiting to get docked. Apparently there were some issues but I don't know the extent of them. I do know there were some issues later in the day when she was getting towed in. The system is measured by a laser. If the measurements are even a fraction of an inch off base the orbiter will be backed out of the bay and brought back in. NASA's misfortune made out for a great photo-op for me.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Launch Complex 31/32 and 34
I was bored over the weekend and found myself looking up urban myths about the shuttle program. One in particular caught my eye about Challenger and it got me thinking: Where is Challenger now? So I did some further research and found out that it is buried about 80 feet deep in an decommissioned minute-man missile silo at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch Complex 31/32 to be exact. So I decided to take a trip Cape side after work and see what I could find.
Unfortunately when I got to LC 31/32 there was no sign of anything related to Challenger. No buildings, no visible placards of any kind (I say visible because now that I know exactly where it is, I am going to go back to check it out), no fences or gates...nothing. It was just about what I expected an abandoned missile silo to be: abandoned. I would have expected there to be some kind of access to the orbiter or some kind of climate controlled structure. The area hadn't been used in decades and nature had begun taking the land back over. From the landscape I assumed I must have been in the wrong place. I was probably in the right area, maybe just looking in the wrong place. When I got back home I did some further research and found out that the first silo I stopped at was the silo which entombed Challenger (according to Google Earth). So now that I know where I am (presumably) supposed to go I will have to make another trip out there.
The trip was not a complete waste. I had been out to Launch Complex 34 before but did not have my camera with me. For those that do not know, Launch Complex 34 is where Apollo 1 burned up on the launch pad. The only other manned launch from the complex was Apollo 7. I do not want to say that it was eerie being there but it was. And it was extremely surreal. I do not have a whole lot to say about it other than it is a pretty peaceful place right next to the ocean. One of those places you can go to just think about life.
The launch pad and mobile flame trenches to the left:
Unfortunately when I got to LC 31/32 there was no sign of anything related to Challenger. No buildings, no visible placards of any kind (I say visible because now that I know exactly where it is, I am going to go back to check it out), no fences or gates...nothing. It was just about what I expected an abandoned missile silo to be: abandoned. I would have expected there to be some kind of access to the orbiter or some kind of climate controlled structure. The area hadn't been used in decades and nature had begun taking the land back over. From the landscape I assumed I must have been in the wrong place. I was probably in the right area, maybe just looking in the wrong place. When I got back home I did some further research and found out that the first silo I stopped at was the silo which entombed Challenger (according to Google Earth). So now that I know where I am (presumably) supposed to go I will have to make another trip out there.
The trip was not a complete waste. I had been out to Launch Complex 34 before but did not have my camera with me. For those that do not know, Launch Complex 34 is where Apollo 1 burned up on the launch pad. The only other manned launch from the complex was Apollo 7. I do not want to say that it was eerie being there but it was. And it was extremely surreal. I do not have a whole lot to say about it other than it is a pretty peaceful place right next to the ocean. One of those places you can go to just think about life.
The launch pad and mobile flame trenches to the left:
Monday, November 5, 2007
Launch Countdown Simulation
Today we performed S0044 -- "Launch Countdown Simulation" for STS-122. During S0044 the launch team for each group sits on console and the countdown clock is started at T-20 minutes. The teams watch their simulated status and report any problems which occur and have to give a recommendation on holding the clock at the next milestone (usually T-9 minutes), scrub the launch if the problem cannot be resolved, or to decide if the problem will not inhibit launch or countdown.
For the APU team, there was a fuel pressure sensor which failed but a troubleshooting plan corrected the problem and there was no need to hold the countdown. For the SRB Hydraulics team, something similar happened but they would have had to scrub the launch because a technician would have had to enter the aft skirt of the SRB to assess the problem.
There are two sessions of S0044, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The prime launch team comes in for the morning run where there is also a bonus round where they just dish out issues with your group but there is no troubleshooting. Just a decision on whether you would still be good for launch or not. The afternoon is used more for training for those that are not on the prime launch team (like myself!).
For the APU team, there was a fuel pressure sensor which failed but a troubleshooting plan corrected the problem and there was no need to hold the countdown. For the SRB Hydraulics team, something similar happened but they would have had to scrub the launch because a technician would have had to enter the aft skirt of the SRB to assess the problem.
There are two sessions of S0044, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The prime launch team comes in for the morning run where there is also a bonus round where they just dish out issues with your group but there is no troubleshooting. Just a decision on whether you would still be good for launch or not. The afternoon is used more for training for those that are not on the prime launch team (like myself!).
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
APU/HUP Cart Loading
Yesterday we loaded the fuel carts at the fuel farm on Pad 39B so that they can be transfered to the Pad 39A service structure to fuel Atlantis when it arrives there in the next couple of weeks. The process is fairly straight forward but for some reason, last night, anything that could go wrong, did.
The carts are uncovered during the walk down before the job and the area is inspected for safety issues as well as to make sure everything is in order and accessible for the technicians when they are out there doing the work. The job is done in SCAPE which is a self contained atmospheric suit which the techs wear to protect them from extremely corrosive, cancer-causing, hydrazine vapors.
The proper connections are made from the facility to the carts via flexhoses and the system is tested with gaseous nitrogen (GN2) in the event of any leaks. When the GN2 is purged from the system the hydrazine begins to flow from a fuel truck that is brought in a few days before. When all is said and done, the process can take roughly 8 hours to fill up the 5 carts (3 APU carts and 2 HPU carts).
** I should note that the HPU carts are for the Hydraulic Power Units which are in the solid rocket boosters and are the counter part to the auxiliary power units in the orbiter**
Last night was full of unfortunate events. From missing papers to batteries dying in flashlights were just some of the minor things. There was a leak in one of the hoses which was detected during the GN2 flow and needed to be fixed. Those were the biggest things to happen before I left at 2100. One of the few good scales we had began acting up, probably because of the rain, and a few other things kept the job from running smoothly. From what I heard, the guys that stayed later were not done until about 0430 this morning. But now the carts are full and, for the most part, ready to be transported to the Pad.
The carts are uncovered during the walk down before the job and the area is inspected for safety issues as well as to make sure everything is in order and accessible for the technicians when they are out there doing the work. The job is done in SCAPE which is a self contained atmospheric suit which the techs wear to protect them from extremely corrosive, cancer-causing, hydrazine vapors.
The proper connections are made from the facility to the carts via flexhoses and the system is tested with gaseous nitrogen (GN2) in the event of any leaks. When the GN2 is purged from the system the hydrazine begins to flow from a fuel truck that is brought in a few days before. When all is said and done, the process can take roughly 8 hours to fill up the 5 carts (3 APU carts and 2 HPU carts).
** I should note that the HPU carts are for the Hydraulic Power Units which are in the solid rocket boosters and are the counter part to the auxiliary power units in the orbiter**
Last night was full of unfortunate events. From missing papers to batteries dying in flashlights were just some of the minor things. There was a leak in one of the hoses which was detected during the GN2 flow and needed to be fixed. Those were the biggest things to happen before I left at 2100. One of the few good scales we had began acting up, probably because of the rain, and a few other things kept the job from running smoothly. From what I heard, the guys that stayed later were not done until about 0430 this morning. But now the carts are full and, for the most part, ready to be transported to the Pad.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Launch Day!
As of yesterday afternoon there was a 60% chance of launch delay. I worked an overnight shift 1700 - 0130 EDT and we did some tests on the orbiter and boosters. We made sure that the program panels were set for the launch and the safing switches were in position in the event of an emergency. I came back to my apartment to get a couple hours of sleep and headed back down to work at 0800.
I was keeping tabs on the weather radar and had a live stream on my computer for NASA TV while I was sitting at my desk. The weather was looking great despite the poor forecast. Low level rain clouds were predicted for the day but it turned out to be scattered at a relatively high level. A fairly perfect day to launch a rocket. OV103 - Discovery took of as scheduled at 1138 in the morning to deliver the Harmony module to the International Space Station.
I was keeping tabs on the weather radar and had a live stream on my computer for NASA TV while I was sitting at my desk. The weather was looking great despite the poor forecast. Low level rain clouds were predicted for the day but it turned out to be scattered at a relatively high level. A fairly perfect day to launch a rocket. OV103 - Discovery took of as scheduled at 1138 in the morning to deliver the Harmony module to the International Space Station.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Material Reviews and The Coming Week
I went in to work yesterday to help close some older papers. The first one I tackled was a material review (MR). Basically, there were a bunch of problem reports (PR) taken out on one of the pieces of ground service equipment (GSE) but the problem is that the panel became obsolete and was replaced by a new panel. The panel, know as the -613 panel, provided an interface to flow gaseous nitrogen (GN2), gaseous helium (GHe), and fuel for the orbiter. One of the main problems is that a couple of the supports were becoming corroded and needed to be fixed. Also, the rotating service structure (RSS) had been modified and at the time the old panels were temporarily removed but when the modification was complete the new panels were put into service. So in the end these old service panels are sitting around with little to no use. But as mentioned in another post, you can't do ANYTHING on the space center without a piece of paper saying you can do it.
The MR that I wrote stated, but in a more official manner, what I just described above and went into further detail on how it poses some serious safety issues and it would not be cost effective to reinstall the panels. It was requested that the panels be 'abandoned in place' and later scrapped for parts. The MR has to go through a review board and approved by Boeing and NASA.
Not very exciting, but it's what I do.
Saturday marked the start of the countdown for STS-120. At 1400 EDT the clock started ticking down. It also marked the start of the S0007 (pronounced soo-seven), which is the shuttle launch procedure book. There are about 6 seperate books that deal with S0007 based on where the count down is (i.e. T-48 hrs to T-43 hrs). At this point personnel are on console for pretty much the duration of the countdown until launch performing tests, checks, purges, and other things to get the shuttle ready to go.
Tomorrow I will be working 1700 to about 0100 or 0200 and we will be doing what is known as BITE tests on the solid rocket boosters (SRB) and the orbiter. With a BITE test, the system is started, without really being started and runs through all of its processes to check for any kind of malfunctions.
There is a mandatory minimum of 8 hours between shifts. Which means if I leave at 0100, I cannot come back to work until 0900. Which kind of sucks because I have to drive all the way back to Daytona, sleep for a few hours, and then head back to work for the launch. I really haven't figured out what I'm going to do yet. But it should be interesting. I do have a strong hunch that the launch is going to be delayed. The weather does not look too promising for Tuesday. So we'll see.
The MR that I wrote stated, but in a more official manner, what I just described above and went into further detail on how it poses some serious safety issues and it would not be cost effective to reinstall the panels. It was requested that the panels be 'abandoned in place' and later scrapped for parts. The MR has to go through a review board and approved by Boeing and NASA.
Not very exciting, but it's what I do.
Saturday marked the start of the countdown for STS-120. At 1400 EDT the clock started ticking down. It also marked the start of the S0007 (pronounced soo-seven), which is the shuttle launch procedure book. There are about 6 seperate books that deal with S0007 based on where the count down is (i.e. T-48 hrs to T-43 hrs). At this point personnel are on console for pretty much the duration of the countdown until launch performing tests, checks, purges, and other things to get the shuttle ready to go.
Tomorrow I will be working 1700 to about 0100 or 0200 and we will be doing what is known as BITE tests on the solid rocket boosters (SRB) and the orbiter. With a BITE test, the system is started, without really being started and runs through all of its processes to check for any kind of malfunctions.
There is a mandatory minimum of 8 hours between shifts. Which means if I leave at 0100, I cannot come back to work until 0900. Which kind of sucks because I have to drive all the way back to Daytona, sleep for a few hours, and then head back to work for the launch. I really haven't figured out what I'm going to do yet. But it should be interesting. I do have a strong hunch that the launch is going to be delayed. The weather does not look too promising for Tuesday. So we'll see.
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