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UPDATE # 41 - March 20, 1998 PART 1: Smart Filters needed SMART FILTERS NEEDED
As part of Space Team Online, NASA experts answer personal email
questions from students and teachers. Since these experts are very
busy, we use volunteers (called Smart Filters) to help minimize the
expert work load.
These Smart Filters read the incoming mail and determine if the answer
to the question already exists. If so they respond with that answer.
If not, they send the question onto experts; once the experts reply, the
Smart Filter does some minor editing and then forwards to the original
questioner and also places the answer online for all to see.
The job of a Smart Filter requires certain skills, including:
- good written communication abilities
- an ability to follow detailed directions
- an ability to navigate the Internet to find information
- a self-directed nature to continue to follow through quickly to new
messages
Our current and past Smart Filters have had fun helping NASA
provide this service. While participating, they've learned a lot
about the shuttle and station.
We need to identify several new Smart Filters for Space Team
Online. If you would like to join our team, please send a note to
Chris Tanski at ctanski@mail.arc.nasa.gov
SPACE STATION TOUR ONLINE
On March 10 we went on a live virtual tour of the real Space Station mockup at Johnson Space Center. The event took us through the most realistic model of the International Space Station. Here, engineers make sure equipment will fit properly and astronauts practice their future Station missions. Besides the Space Station, the live event also included visits to other training facilities like the giant swimming pool where spacewalks are simulated. For those that missed the event, an archive is available at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/ltc/sto/tour1.html We are planning another live visit to this special facility in April. Details will be made available as soon as they are finalized. SURVEY ABOUT MSL-1
Over the last few months, the updates-sto mailing list was used to distribute fairly technical messages about the MSL-1 mission. We are curious to know what you thought about these messages, good or bad. We have put together a three question survey that won't take more then a minute for you to complete. Please take a few moments to let us know your opinion by visiting this web page: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/msl.html Thanks in advance for helping us to better understand your opinions. [Editor's note: Scott designs and develops ground support equipment for the International Space Station program; this equipment includes air bearing pallets, slings, platforms, handling devices, and training mockups.] DESIGNING EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT SPACE STATION PROCESSING
Scott Colloredo, as interviewed by Brandt Secosh http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/colloredo.html March 12, l998 Scott Colloredo and the Mechanical Ground Support Equipment Division have been very busy supporting the needs of the International Space Station activities. When I asked Scott what piece of equipment he was currently working with, he chuckled and informed me that his division was working on 15 different pieces of equipment that will support International Space Station operations! Scott is a mechanical engineer in his division and has been involved with all aspects in developing this hardware! Two of the pieces of ground support equipment that we talked about are the, Rack Insertion Device (RID) and the Mini-Pressurized Logistics Module Access Certification Equipment (MACE). These are both pieces of equipment that will be used to process (transport) hardware that will be delivered into space to construct the ISS. The mini-pressurized logistics modules (MPLM) are the modules that will contain equipment for delivery to the ISS. The RID will be used for inserting experiment racks and many other items into research modules. The MACE is a piece of equipment that will allow workers access to the MPLM while they are in a horizontal position in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) and in the vertical position when the shuttle is on the pad. Where did this equipment come from? Scott explains that it all began with a "need." In this case, the need was to be able to access the MPLM during the preparation of payloads that will be delivered to the ISS. When the need was identified, none of this equipment even existed. Part of Scott's job was to solve the problems of providing safe and reliable access for the MPLM in the horizontal and vertical positions. To do this, Scott's division began a kind of brainstorming session. In the beginning, no ideas were too bizarre. Everything was up for consideration! These ideas were then tested against the requirements that were specified for the job and many of them eliminated on that basis. The ideas continued to be eliminated until finally the best one was identified to do the required task and meet the specified requirements. The next phase was to begin the design of the identified equipment. Scott's division and contractors at KSC are well equipped with computers and software that is tailored to do just that! During the design process many engineers work as a team and are given specific design tasks. Many ideas are further refined as a result of testing using computer assisted design and drafting (CADD) software. This software can check for interfering components, structural integrity and many other specific areas in the design process. After the design process is validated, the next phase of the project begins: developing the plans for fabrication. This encompasses many variables such as cost, time schedules, facility availability and labor hours, to mention a few. All of this information will find its place in a very detailed proposal that will be submitted to the space station launch site director. If the plan is rejected for certain reasons, a refinement process will begin to address any issues that may be identified. When it all passes, a contract is awarded and fabrication begins. Much of this work is awarded to local contractors for the fabrication phase. Once the equipment is constructed it will go through a phase of testing to ensure that it meets all the requirements. Once the testing is complete the equipment is installed and the process is complete! The RID and the MACE are currently in the testing phase. The first of three MPLMs is due at KSC this year. The first flight is scheduled in June 1999, when an MPLM will ferry hardware for the U.S. laboratory. This will begin an ongoing series of supply missions to outfit the station, that will extend into the next century. STATUS OF COLUMBIA PROCESSING
Below, we'll provide some details about the post flight work being done after STS-87 and the subsequent processing of Columbia as it prepares to fly again as STS-90. These reports will contain jargon and unfamiliar terms; our intent is not to confuse you, but to provide a glimpse at all the steps involved. Detailed daily reports about Columbia's processing can be found at the NASA Shuttle Status web site at http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/status.htm Since the last updates-sto message, the payload bay doors were closed for flight and orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) leak checks took place. Work on the right inboard elevon was finished and the forward and aft compartments were closed-out. Workers finished weight and center of gravity testing on Columbia. Columbia was placed on the orbiter transport system to support rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Technicians began preparing for orbiter rollover activities at about 8 a.m. March 16 and first motion started at 10:50 a.m. Columbia arrived in the VAB at 11:33 a.m. In the afternoon, workers connected the sling to lift the orbiter to a vertical position. The orbiter Columbia was hardmated to the external tank (ET) in VAB high bay 3 and umbilical connections were completed. During removal of the orbiter sling, the aft sling contacted the orbiter near the left aft ET attach point and damaged the thermal protection system (TPS) in that area. Technicians cut away the impacted thermal protection system tiles to inspect the surface area beneath it to ensure that no structural damage to the orbiter was created. These inspections revealed no structural damage. Workers planned to complete efforts to put the original blanket back in place by March 19. KSC managers expect no schedule delays due to the additional work. The Shuttle Interface Test is in work and is planned to conclude today. Preparations for Columbia's rollout to Pad 39B have begun and the Shuttle is expected to begin first motion at 7 a.m. on Monday. Atop the giant crawler transporter, the Shuttle is slated to arrive at the pad by 1 p.m. Monday and the Rotating Service Structure will be pulled around the Shuttle at about 4 p.m. STS-90 SCHEDULED OPERATIONAL MILESTONES (dates are target only): * Shuttle Interface Test complete (March 20) * Rollout to Pad 39B (March 23) * Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (March 30-31)
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