July 22, 2005 Vol. 44, No. 16 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Explore. Discover. Understand. Discovery flies when it’s safe to fly Effort to find a fix continues between two and four days, around the clock to make although that study was in its preliminary stage. July launch window Following the first launch attempt, managers and engineers t press time, Space studied the problem with one of Shuttle Program manag- four liquid hydrogen low-level Aers have continued work fuel sensors inside the External to determine the failure of an Tank. The sensor protects the engine cut-off sensor problem Shuttle’s main engines by that delayed Discovery’s first triggering their shutdown in the launch attempt. At a July 18 event fuel runs unexpectedly news conference, Shuttle Pro- low. gram Manager Bill Parsons said The sensor failed a routine troubleshooting was continuing prelaunch check during the around the clock. launch countdown July 13, “This team is persistent and causing mission managers to energetic and we will conquer postpone Discovery’s first this problem, too,” explained launch attempt. A dozen teams, Program Deputy Manager Wayne with hundreds of engineers Hale. “Once the problem is across the country, are working resolved, the next opportunity to on the issue. tank the vehicle would be July Once the problem is resolved 26.” and the countdown can be He said the problem could restarted, it will take about four soon be identified, and NASA days to launch. A countdown will managers are still optimistic be a complete start over at T-43 about a launch within the current (time minus 43) hours. window, which ends July 31. Visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ DISCOVERY REMAINS on Launch Pad 39B at 3:51 p.m., the scheduled Parson noted that the launch returntoflight for information time of liftoff for mission STS-114. The launch was scrubbed due to a faulty window may be extended about the STS-114 mission. sensor reading in the External Tank during the July 13 countdown. July 16, 2005 Space Shuttle Discovery’s STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins “My crew will maintain our proficiency for this mission. We are keeping in close touch with the troubleshooting plan; we have confidence that the best people are working it. In fact, the plan our engi- neers have put together is impressive, and we are very proud of the work they are doing! “While the launch delay is disappointing, we have strong confidence that the mission will launch safely and successfully, and we fully support our NASA leadership for taking the time required to understand AFTER THEIR July 9 arrival at Kennedy Space Center, the STS-114 crew talked briefly the problem. We thank all of you for hanging with to media. At the microphone is Mission Commander Eileen Collins. Behind her are (left us!” to right) Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Pilot James Kelly, and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Charles Camarda, Wendy Lawrence and Stephen Robinson. jul22color.pmd 1 7/21/2005, 12:05 PM Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 22, 2005 discussed it at great length and I have the utmost confidence made the right call to scrub the that our team will figure out a launch until they figured out solution for the problem and we The what is taking place. will still launch Discovery and At a press conference imme- her crew during the July window. diately following the scrub, I ask everyone to hang in there senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and keep the faith. We have the Awards Kennedy (R-Tex), Bill Nelson (D-Fla) and greatest space team in the world our own NASA legend John right here at KSC and we are in Glenn (D-OH) said they were good hands. Update impressed with the way the team I know along with the Shuttle Jim Kennedy handled the situation and threw team, many volunteers from the Center Director their full support behind NASA Center helped out with the many and the Vision for Space Explo- needs on launch day, ranging reetings. I know to wait problem was with the Engine ration. from escorting VIPs and working 29 months and to be three Cutoff (ECO) Sensor System that Two days later, the White at the Press Site, to augmenting Ghours from liftoff, then detects how much propellant is security and safety have the launch of STS-114 left in the External Tank. If not “The White House Chief of Staff, Andy details. It is much scrubbed was a disappointment, working properly, it could signal Card, phoned Mike Griffin to express the appreciated and we but certainly not a failure of the Shuttle’s engines to shut appreciation and support we have from simply couldn’t do it YOU, the team that got us there. down early and the orbiter the White House.” without you. The commitment that NASA wouldn’t be able to reach its Please get some vowed after the Columbia proper orbit after liftoff. House Chief of Staff, Andy Card, rest, as we will need you again accident to only launch when it’s The countdown’s launch phoned Mike Griffin to express on launch day. safe and to not take any unneces- commit criteria calls for all four the appreciation and support we Thanks everyone and please sary risks shined through in ECO sensors to be functioning at have from the White House. know you are appreciated. spades July 13. Hopefully, by the time of launch. With one not While the scrub may seem Once again, we are only days time you are reading this, our functioning properly, we odd since we haven’t launched in away from witnessing a great day Shuttle experts will have found scrubbed for the day. 29 months, scrubbing a launch for the Space Shuttle Program, the problem, fixed it and re- I was extremely proud of the for a mission is certainly not out KSC, NASA and the United turned to launch countdown entire team and its performance of the ordinary. Even the maiden States of America. mode. on launch day. Team members launch of Columbia for STS-1 GO DISCOVERY! If you hadn’t heard, the spotted the problem early, was scrubbed the first time. AN ARTIST’S concept of the planned Shuttle Launch Experience Shuttle Launch Experience at the part of Visitor Complex plan KSC Visitor Complex. By Jeff Stuckey Visitor Complex. Three veteran Editor Shuttle astronauts, including Rick Searfoss, played a key role hen the Kennedy Space in designing the simulator and Center Visitor Com provided feedback to the rest of Wplex opens the 44,000- the design team. square-foot Shuttle Launch The new attraction will be Experience in early 2007, guests located in the northwest corner won’t have to battle silly looking of the main complex, where aliens. Instead, this simulator construction has already started. will take guests on an incredible The $60 million project is funded journey only astronauts have through revenue generated by experienced: launching into orbit visitor admission, food and retail replicating the sights, sounds, G- raised in Central Florida, who aboard a Space Shuttle. sales at no taxpayer expense. forces and rattle of liftoff. The watched many shots go up in the “It’s not a thrill ride,” said The journey will begin when sensations of launch continue as air,” said Jennings. “Florida has Dan LeBlanc, chief operating visitors enter a gantry-styled they experience Max Q, the zone earned its reputation as the place officer of the Visitor Complex. walkway into a building archi- where enormous forces squeeze for space and if you look at the “You won’t be dodging asteroids tecturally inspired by Space the Shuttle, Solid Rocket Booster back of a Florida quarter, you or battling any aliens. We have Shuttle processing facilities at separation, main engine cut-off will see it reads, ‘Gateway to worked hard to ensure that it is KSC. Dramatic sound and and the External Tank separa- Discovery.’ It wasn’t just those as close as you can be to simulat- lighting effects, rumbling floors tion. Spanish galleons; it was, in fact, ing the reality of a Space Shuttle and fog dramatize the moments Florida Lt. Gov. Toni those launches right down the launch within the confines of before launch. Guests will board Jennings discussed what the new road.” Earth’s gravity.” the mock-up Space Shuttle and attractions means to the state at The KSC Visitor Complex’s The Shuttle Launch Experi- strap in for launch in a unique the unveiling ceremony. decade-long, $160 million plan ence is the first project in a 10- motion simulator designed to “It’s a pleasure to be here for will usher in nine new exhibits, year development plan for the bring the mission alive by many reasons, but mostly as plus new and enhanced visitor someone who was born and amenities. jul22color.pmd 2 7/21/2005, 12:05 PM July 22, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 STS-114 Return to Flight crew bravely approaches first launch attempt CENTER DIRECTOR Jim Kennedy welcomes STS-114 Mission Commander Eileen Collins to the Center four days prior to launch. THE RETURN to Flight STS-114 crew exits the Operations and Checkout AT THE Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-114 Pilot James Kelly and Mission Building for the ride to Launch Pad 39B. On the left column, front to back, are Commander Eileen Collins join support personnel after completing practice Pilot James Kelly and Mission Specialists Wendy Lawrence, Charles runs on the Shuttle Training Aircraft, which is a modified Grumman American Camarda and Andrew Thomas.