Main Room

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 197 - 11:04:14 ]
RE: [Brian] Are they going to use the Crawler to launch the Xplanes?
I don't think so. The X33 won't fit on the crawler. X34 is launched from an L1011 airplane.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 198 - 11:04:16 ]
Today's panel discussion will be MODERATED to help our experts keep up with our questions. We will post a few questions in the chat room at a time.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 202 - 11:04:29 ]
DON'T WORRY if you don't see your questions on your screen. We will post new questions every few minutes.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 203 - 11:04:45 ]
At the conclusion of today's panel discussion, please visit our NASA QuestChat Information Center at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats to send us your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 204 - 11:05:16 ]
And now, here are Jenny Lyons and Chuck Davis to answer your questions.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 205 - 11:07:49 ]
RE: [Kelly_CrestonMiddleSchool] Chuck Davis, Have you ever been late to the launch pad to fuel a shuttle? If so, what happened? 8th grade
Nope, the fuel is stored at the pad in storage tanks. These tanks are filled before the Shuttle is ready to launch. Then the Shuttles' tanks are filled from the pad storage tanks. However, if we have a scrub or two, we must partially refill the hydrogen and oxygen storage tanks before we can try to launch again.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 206 - 11:08:21 ]
RE: [JENNIFERG/WMS] JENNY LYONS IS THERE ANY WAY TO GO BACK TO THE MOON TO SEE IF IT CHANGED? AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO WEATHER! AND WHAT IS THE LAUNCH PAD MADE OF!?
Jennifer, We don't currently have any rockets ready to fly that could take men and wonmmen to the Moon- That doesn't mean we shouldn't or couldn't go back though! We'll have to study any changes with telescopes and remote sensors from Earth for now- Anf the Launch Pad is made of steel- Very sturdy!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 209 - 11:10:10 ]
RE: [Josh/Pms] How long does it take to fuel up the Solid Rocket Boosters?
The SRB's are taken apart into their segments and railroaded to Utah for refilling. I don't know how long the round-trip is though. Jenny?

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 210 - 11:11:18 ]
RE: [Kelly_CrestonMiddleSchool] Jenny Lyons, Has anything ever gone wrong during ground testing? If so, what was it and how was the problem solved?
Kelly, Things go "wrong" during ground testing every day! In general they are minor things, but we are glad to find little and big problems because that means that we would rather have something important fail or break while we're on the ground rather than in space-

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 214 - 11:12:05 ]
RE: [Jon] Does NASA have a program to develope a gun that'll shoot rockets into space? I know a scientist in Canada was developing somthing of the sort and proved it to be cheeper.
This is one propulsion technology being tested by various research laboratories. The main problem with the idea is that the highest velocity would be at the ground where the air, and hence the "wind drag" would be greatest. Plus, the acceleration forces would be huge. SO the payload would have to be extra-extra sturdy. You couldn't launch humans this way.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 215 - 11:13:03 ]
RE: [ChuckDavis/KSC] The SRB's are taken apart into their segments and railroaded to Utah for refilling. I don't know how long the round-trip is though. Jenny?
I'm not sure either- My guess is that it takes several months (maybe even years?) before an empty casing is refilled and sent back to KSC to be flown again. We have several sets of SRB casings we use across the Shuttle Program.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 216 - 11:13:33 ]
For those of you just joining us, we are now featuring Jenny Lyons and Chuck Davis in our online panel discussion. No video is needed to participate at this time.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 217 - 11:14:54 ]
RE: [Thomas] What type(s) of fuel(s) are being used on this shuttle
The big orange external tank has liquid oxygen in the top 1/3 and liquid hydrogen in the bottom 2/3s. These propellants go to the 3 main engines. The solid rocket boosters have a solid propellant made mostly of ammonium perchlorate and aluminum powder. Together, these put the Shuttle into its initial orbit. Once in space, monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants power the 44 thursters and two orbit manuvering engines (at the tail).

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 220 - 11:15:33 ]
RE: [MsWilkssKindergarten] Why does the Shuttle have to blast off?
It takes lots of force to lift the heavy Shuttle off the ground and send it all the way up to space- It takes poerful rocket engines which ignite: hence the word "blast."

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 221 - 11:16:50 ]
RE: [MsWilkssKindergarten] Why does the Shuttle have to blast off?
Maybe "blast off" is more of a news-term. Makes it sound more dramatic I suppose. It actually is very dramatic with the big rumble and the ground shaking. It takes a lot of energy to get into space. The last thing we want though is anything to "blast!"

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 222 - 11:17:36 ]
RE: [MrsHestersClass] How do they control the space shuttle?
The astronauts control the Space Shuttle with control sticks much like those used to control an airplane. There are also many little thruster jets that can help steer the Orbiter in space. Of course, there are computers which help...

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 226 - 11:18:41 ]
RE: [MrsHestersClass] Are computers used to launch the shuttle? If so, how?
Jenny may be able to answer this better, but I'll take a shot at it. There are five main flight computers on the Shuttle. There are probably 100's, if not 1000's of other computers used to make the whole launch process happen.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 227 - 11:20:17 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] What is the hardest thing you have had to for nasa so far?
The hardest thing- Hmmm. The hardest thing is perhaps that we are asked to make decisions very quickly that could have serious consequences if we make the wrong choice. You have to think carefully...

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 228 - 11:20:55 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] How real is the launching compared to the movies we have seen? (for example: Armegedon)
Arg! Armegeon may have been a good example of what Hollywood can do with special effects. But it is probably the biggest wrong movie about spaceflight and launching ever made. Spaceships don't manuver about like in the movie. You can't launch two of anything together. Things take much longer and move slower in real life.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 229 - 11:22:24 ]
RE: [CoryJake] How long does it take the crawler to get to the launchpad?
Maybe six to eight hours.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 230 - 11:22:27 ]
RE: [CoryJake] How long does it take the crawler to get to the launchpad?
The crawler takes about 6 hours to make the 3 1/2 mile trip to the Launch Pad. How fast does the crawler travel? Can you do the math?

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 236 - 11:23:24 ]
Chuck is right- Everything we do hinges on our use of computers!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 237 - 11:24:11 ]
RE: [MsWilkssKindergarten] What is a Space Station?
It is a "house" in space, orbiting above the earth. Scientists will live there to study the earth below and the stars above.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 238 - 11:24:18 ]
RE: [Randy_LewisandClarkSchool] What is the oldest space shuttle you use and what is its name?
Randy, "Columbia" was the first Orbiter built and is still the oldest in the fleet.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 243 - 11:26:00 ]
RE: [Danny] Which orbiter gives you the most problems?
Danny, That's a loaded question! It's just like a car- It depends on whom you ask. And, like a car, usually the older it is and the more it's used, the more maintenance it requires and the more problems it has.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 244 - 11:26:43 ]
RE: [MrsHestersClass] Is it hard cleaning, repairing, and upgrading the shuttles?
Unfortunately, the Shuttle's were built more to fly than to easily be fixed. We have gotten very good at fixing them over the years though. It used to take maybe 120 days to process a space shuttle. Now it can be done in 60 days. Jenny can tell you more. I'm a rocket engine guy.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 245 - 11:27:10 ]
RE: [Sam/ParsonsMiddleSchool] How many feet of electrical wiring do you use in the shuttle ?
Sam, There are miles and miles of wiring inside each Orbiter!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 246 - 11:28:24 ]
RE: [MrsMarshalscienceteacher] How much do the crawler and the shuttle weigh together
Sounds like a trivia question. I'm not sure. I do know the Shuttle with the SRBs' and full ET weighs around 3,000,000 pounds. When it is on the crawler/transporter, this is the largest movable thing on land.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 247 - 11:28:41 ]
RE: [Jon] What is the status on the new shuttle under development? do Things look good, if so when will its 1st launch be?
Jon, The small scale version of the next generation Shuttle is expected to begin some early test flights later this year, I believe. Is that right, Chuck?

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 254 - 11:30:14 ]
RE: [JENNIFERG/WMS] WHY CAN'T 2 SHUTTLES AT THE SAME TIME TAKE OFF?
The range tracking systems (radar, radio, and such) can only keep track of one thing at a time. Plus, the ground support equipment, like my nitrogen pipeline, only has the capability to support one launch operation at a time.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 255 - 11:30:36 ]
RE: [ChuckDavis/KSC] Unfortunately, the Shuttle's were built more to fly than to easily be fixed. We have gotten very good at fixing them over the years though. It used to take maybe 120 days to process a space shuttle. Now it can be done in 60 days. Jenny can tell you more. I'm a rocket engine guy.
Yep- The best we've ever done is around 60 days for an Orbiter turnaround. In general it takes between 3 and 4 months. There is just a LOT of work to do! Especially as the Orbiters get older...

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 256 - 11:31:42 ]
RE: [JennyLyons/KSC] Jon, The small scale version of the next generation Shuttle is expected to begin some early test flights later this year, I believe. Is that right, Chuck?
There is only the X37 crew return vehicle, which looks sort-of-like a little shuttle in design and testing. It won't fly until maybe 2002.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 257 - 11:32:11 ]
RE: [darrin/Pms] How heavy is the shuttle stack at launch time?
About 3,000,000 pounds.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 258 - 11:33:49 ]
RE: [CoryJake] How much does the shuttle gas cost
There are four main different "gas" fuels on the shuttle. The least expensive is the liquid oxygen at about $0.07 per pound. The most expensive is the monomethyl hydrazine at $25/pound.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 259 - 11:35:23 ]
RE: [David_WhiteboroMiddleSchool] Have you ever had a problem with the engine?
David, Yes, we've had problems with the engines before. Sometimes it doesn't affect the performance and we don't find out 'til later. One time the problem was significant enought to cause the engine to shut itself down.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 260 - 11:35:47 ]
RE: [ChuckDavis/KSC] There are four main different "gas" fuels on the shuttle. The least expensive is the liquid oxygen at about $0.07 per pound. The most expensive is the monomethyl hydrazine at $25/pound.
For comparison, a package of Oreo cookies weighs a pound. In gallons, MMH costs about $183/gallon. You think gasoline prices are high! But this is a very special fuel.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 261 - 11:37:29 ]
RE: [Barbara/NIU] At launch where is the cooling water coming from? Is it ocean water?
Barbara, The cooling water- actually it's all part of the "sound supression" system- is stored in a big water tank. It loks about like the ones you see that supply water to your town!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 264 - 11:37:41 ]
RE: [Barbara/NIU] At launch where is the cooling water coming from? Is it ocean water?
It isn't ocean water. I guess it comes from our local water system.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 265 - 11:39:41 ]
RE: [Josh/Pms] How long does it take to fuel up the External Tank?
This happens in the last 12 hours in the launch countdown. It actually takes maybe six hours to fill it but then you have to keep it full since the hydrogen and oxygen are boiling off while they are putting the astronaughts on board.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 266 - 11:40:37 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] What is a typical workday for you?
Ashley, A typical work day includes several meetings, as well as some time to read and study program documents and upcoming events/changes. I generally spend some time looking at the Orbiter and watching some of the work going on. But the great thing about this job is that every day is a little different!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 270 - 11:42:32 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] Have you ever made a wrong decision that was critiacal for a launching?
Not me, thank goodness!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 271 - 11:43:29 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] What would you recommend a student to be interested in to do your kind of work?
Ashley, You need to be interested in math and science. Specifically you should be curious about how things work and a good problem-solver. It is also very important to get along and work well with other people and to be able to read and write well.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 274 - 11:44:46 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] What is the best thing about working for nasa?
I actually work more with the satellite people than the Shuttle. I also get to work with the expendable rocket people. It is great to watch the rockets take off and know each one of them is using my fuel to get into space. Then, for the spacecraft, they use my fuel too. So, I can keep tabs on something I helped to make happen for years. And you get to see great pictures from Jupiter (Galileo Mission) and other places.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 275 - 11:45:06 ]
RE: [ChuckDavis/KSC] Not me, thank goodness!
Me either! Thank goodness, too! We have lots of rules and controls and checks and balances that help us make to not execute a poor decision...

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 280 - 11:47:14 ]
RE: [Lesley/ParsonsMiddleSchool] What is your favorite fuel to work with, when you are fueling up the solid rocket boosters?
Well, the "fuel" is already in the SRB when it comes from Utah. There isn't anything to add except to put all the segments together to make a complete booster.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 281 - 11:47:18 ]
RE: [MrsMarshallscienceteacher] Who invented the crawler?
I think it was more designed than invented; but I'm not sure who should get the credit for it! No doubt is was a whole team of people! Whoever it was it would have been back before Apollo (1960's?.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 287 - 11:49:09 ]
RE: [Kara/ParsonsMiddleSchool] If you had a chance to go up to space would you?
Kara, Probably not. I get a little nervous doing risky things, even things like scuba diving. So I'm not sure I would be a good candidate-

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 288 - 11:50:47 ]
RE: [Kara/ParsonsMiddleSchool] If you had a chance to go up to space would you?
Yes, I would love to go into space. Jenny, can you get me on a mission?

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 289 - 11:51:03 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] How many astronauts work for nasa?
I think there are around 100 astronauts at NASA these days... They live in Houston, TX and train at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). They do spend quite a bit of time here, though...

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 293 - 11:52:29 ]
RE: [Johnna/PMS] What are the dimensions (length and width) of the shuttle orbiter?
The Orbiter is 122 feet long, 57 feet tall and has a 78 foot wing span. It's about the same size as a DC-9 commercial airplane.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 294 - 11:53:23 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] How hard would it be to lauch a shuttle without computers
It would be impossible- There are too many exact calculations and split-second controls that computers perform.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 295 - 11:54:06 ]
RE: [JENNIFERG/WMS] IS THE SPACE STATION RUN BY RUSSAINS? LIKE IN THE MOVIES! AND HOW DOES THE SPACE STATION HAVE GRAVITY?
The Russians have their MIR space station which is in orbit now. The shuttle's have docked there seven times. The Mir, nor the new International Space Station, have gravity ... at least not enough to hold you down to the floor. You must have something really long (or a huge circle) and spin it to make gravity-like forces in space. None of what we are building will be that large. NASA hasn't invented Star-Trek like gravity deck plates... yet.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 300 - 11:56:14 ]
RE: [Dalton/PMS] How much is the storage cost for fuel for the external tank?
It doesn't cost very much to store the fuels since they are just sitting there. Technicians check the tanks to make sure they are operating safely. The hydrogen and oxygen tanks do vent gases off so the tanks would eventually boil-dry if nothing were added for several months.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 301 - 11:56:15 ]
RE: [MrsBrecheisen/ParsonsMiddleSchool] What type of education do you need to have such an exciting career?
To be an engineer here, you must have at least a college Bachelors degree in engineering or physics or chemistry or something comparable. Many engineers here have Masters degrees and some even have PhD's. This means you have to have a strong math and science background in Jr. High and High School in order to be accepted into a college with technical programs.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 302 - 11:56:21 ]
For those of you leaving us, we once again ask that you visit our NASA QuestChat Information Center at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats to send your comments about today's panel discussion to us.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 303 - 11:57:29 ]
RE: [DavidHoward/WMS] How long is the countdown period for launching the shuttle?
A Shuttle countdown runs 3 days, with the last 9 minutes being what we call "terminal count."

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 304 - 11:58:16 ]
RE: [Ginny] Do you think there will ever be as mars mission?
I sure hope so! Wouldn't that be exciting! We have lots of folks across NASA thinking up ways to do it...

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 305 - 11:58:20 ]
RE: [Darren/Pms] How many gallons of fuel do you use once you get out of the atmosphere?
The Shuttle's tanks hold about 1600 gallons each of monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Not all of this is used but this is how much can be carried. We wouldn't want to run out of these because these fuels are what enables the Shuttle to slow down so it can come home to land.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 306 - 11:59:27 ]
RE: [Ginny] Do you think there will ever be as mars mission?
I sure hope so. I have been able to work on the previous Mars missions - too bad about last two :( and want to work on more.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 310 - 12:01:29 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] How did you begin working for nasa?
I started to work for NASA at KSC in 1989. I transferred from another Government Agency. I really like working here.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 311 - 12:02:44 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] Can you describe briefly what goes on during a landing?
About an hour prior to touchdown, the astronauts perform what is called a "de-orbit burn." This slows the Orbiter down so that it can fall back to Earth. And fall it does, like a rock! It gets glowing red hot during this re-entry phase and then once it is back in the atmoshpere the astronauts steer and control it like a plane, except that there are no engines. It flies like a big, heavy glider until it approaches the runway. The landing gear are deployed, and the Orbiter touches down and rolls out. A parachute (called a "drag chute") to help it slow and to take some of the pressure off of the brakes. It sounds very simple, but it is truly an awesome sight!

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 312 - 12:03:58 ]
RE: [JENNIFERG/WMS] can you make m&m modles of thing in space?
I'm not sure I could, but I'll bet there are some talented students out there that could!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 313 - 12:04:50 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] Since the time it takes for the moon and the earth to rotate are the same we don't get to see the other side of the moon. Is there any way we could get people to explore the other side of the moon?
Yes. When the Apollo went to the moon, astronauts could see the other side since they orbited the moon. Astronaughts could land there too I suppose. But if they were on the "far side", then we couldn't talk to them on the radio. We would need a communications relay station (or satellite).

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 316 - 12:09:13 ]
RE: [Lesley/ParsonsMiddleSchool] Do you think that the space shuttle is the hardest thing you've ever built?
Probably so. It has so many different systems that must work together. It is more complicated than a non-manned spacecraft since you have all the life support stuff on it.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 317 - 12:10:12 ]
RE: [ChuckDavis/KSC] Probably so. It has so many different systems that must work together. It is more complicated than a non-manned spacecraft since you have all the life support stuff on it.
The new International Space Station will be very complicated since it is so large and can't be put together on the ground.

[ JennyLyons/KSC - 318 - 12:12:39 ]
Unfortunately, I have to run! (One of those meetings...) It's been great talking to you all!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 319 - 12:13:53 ]
RE: [Lesley/ParsonsMiddleSchool] What is the hardest part to build in the Solid rocket Boosters?
This is getting out of my area, but I would think it would be getting the solid propellant casted into its shell without any cracks or airbubbles in it. Cracks and airbubbles could lead to the motor blowing up.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 320 - 12:14:17 ]
RE: [JennyLyons/KSC] Unfortunately, I have to run! (One of those meetings...) It's been great talking to you all!
Jenny, thank you very much for joining us for today's panel discussion. We look forward to chatting with you online in the future during our chats, forums and panel discussions. Have a great day!

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 321 - 12:16:15 ]
RE: [Samantha/ParsonsMiddleSchool] Is there any way that the heat shield could crack when it comes in the atmosphere?
The heat shield is acutally thousands of little tiles which are glued to the bottom of the shuttle (mostly on the black underside). A few have fallen off over the years, but have not caused the Shuttle to be damaged. These are very closely inspected and tested to make sure each one is glued on very securely.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 322 - 12:17:52 ]
RE: [DavidHoward/WMS] What are the effects besides dying without wearing space suit?
Well, there is no air to breath. Plus it would either be very cold when you're in a shadow or very hot if your in the sun. Fortunately, you wouldn't last long without a spacesuit.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 323 - 12:18:54 ]
RE: [AshleyWMS] Do you get to see your families often since they can't live there with you?
Here at KSC, our families live with us... or us with them. Anyway, I have a house about 15 miles from KSC. So I go home everyday to be with my family.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 324 - 12:21:30 ]
This concludes today's NASA Quest Space Team Online/Classroom Today chat with Jenny Lyons and Chuck Davis from NASA Kennedy Space Center.

[ ChuckDavis/KSC - 325 - 12:22:01 ]
OK. I think I've covered all the questions. I enjoyed our chat session. I hope you did too. Goodbye.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 326 - 12:22:45 ]
We would like to thank everyone for joining us today, and offer our very special thanks to Jenny and Chuck for answering all our questions, and sharing their career experience and knowledge about the space shuttle with us. THANK YOU, Jenny and Chuck!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 327 - 12:23:29 ]
As a final reminder, visit our NASA QuestChat Information Center at http://quest.nasa.gov/qchats to send us your comments about toda's panel disucssion.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 328 - 12:24:23 ]
An archive of today's panel discussion will be available soon. Be sure to visit our schedule of upcoming panel discussions for this week, at http://quest.nasa.gov/space/events/cc.

[ Brian/ClassroomConnect - 329 - 12:24:29 ]
Thanks to Jenny and Chuck! If you want to talk with other students about what you learned today, visit the Message Board on Classroom Today! http://www.classroomtoday.com/messageboard

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 330 - 12:24:59 ]
Thank you again to everyone for joining us today. We hope to hear from you online in the near future. Have a great day!