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PART 1: Don't miss any of the parts DON'T MISS ANY OF THE PARTS!
Last Wednesday's WebCast from the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility was super! We had a terrific attendance and some very well-pondered questions. The archive is up for those who had time conflicts to view the broadcast. Don't miss seeing Brandt's journal about what he saw during the filming for this webcast: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/journals/secosh/10-14-99.html Now we have two follow-up chats with two NASA experts that have specific roles in the landing of the Shuttle. The chats are designed to stand alone, require only access to a browser, so even if you cannot receive the video feed you can participate in these chats. Please note that a special chat room has been set up for each chat, and you need to register for each chat separately. See the schedule at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/events/ksc99 The first chat, scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, is with Mark Weller, whose primary involvement with the SLF at Kennedy Space Center has been with lighting systems for night landings. Mark can also discuss the overseas landing facilities. A week later (October 28) we will chat with Larry Parker who works at the Shuttle Landing Facility and was interviewed during the WebCast event. Please plan to join us! Live is best, but if you are unable to join us live, place your questions in the chat room ahead of time, and we will address as many of them as possible during the chat. Don't miss the excitement! Linda UPCOMING EVENTS
Please be sure to visit each site before the scheduled time. Usually,
these
events require pre-registration, and some include preparation. Remember,
you
can get help if you've never chatted online before. Join your chat host,
Oran Cox, during one of his weekly practice sessions.
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/practice/
->Wednesday, October 20, 1999, 9-10a.m.PDT (Noon-1p.m.EDT, 4-5p.m.GMT)
QuestChat with Ken Schrock
Ken uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to help launch vehicles and
spacecraft navigate themselves as they travel away from Earth.
See Ken's profile at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/schrock.html
Register at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events.cgi?prj_sto
->Wednesday, October 20, 1999, 10-11a.m. (1-2p.m.EDT, 5-6p.m. GMT)
QuestChat with Mark Weller
Mark is responsible for the electrical power system at Launch Pad-B.
This is a part of the Landing to Launch Series. To see the whole schedule
see: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/events/ksc99
Mark's profile is at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/weller.html
Register at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events.cgi?prj_sto
->Thursday, October 21, 1999 11am-noonPDT (2-3p.m.EDT, 6-7p.m.GMT)
QuestChat with Leland Jackson continuing our series of monthly chats
focusing on the International Space Station. Leland ensures that products
developed for the ISS meet certain maintenance requirements. See Leland's
profile at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/leljackson.html
Register at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events.cgi?prj_sto
->Thursday, October 28, 1999 10-11a.m.PDT(1-2p.m.EDT, 5-6p.m. GMT)
QuestChat with Larry Parker, who works at the Shuttle Landing Facility
(SLF). He will be online to discuss his role in landing operations,
as part of our Space Shuttle Countdown: Landing to Launch series.
To register and see the whole schedule see:
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/events/ksc99
Wednesday, November 3, 1999 10-11a.m.PST(1-2p.m.EST, 6-7p.m. GMT)
QuestChat with Jenny Lyons
Jenny Lyons follows the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery through all of its
ground testing and check out procedures. She also directs all the people,
vehicles and activities on the runway after the Orbiter lands.
See Jenny's profile at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/lyons.html
This is a part of the Landing to Launch Series. To register and see the
whole schedule go to: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/events/ksc99
To see a complete listing of NASA Quest's offerings, see the schedule of
events at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events
FEEDBACK-PLEASE UPDATE
Because I cannot respond to special notes in the Survey form unless an email address was included, I'm going to try to address some of the requests and questions here; especially those that are of general interest or repeated more than once: * I had requested the hard copy of the shuttle launch but I didn't receive it yet I'm assuming this person is speaking of requesting a video tape of a digitized WebCast. We, on occasion have these requests, and frankly our biggest problem is financial. We do not have the funding to produce video tapes nor the personnel available to oversee copying them. Our mission at NASA Quest is: To bring NASA people and science to the classroom through the Internet. Video streaming is part of that. VHS tapes are not. * Can't do the Wed. chats. Need to have alternate times. The timing of chats and webcasts is the most difficult need to accommodate because our audience spans the globe. We have folks from Australia requesting times that would impose greatly on our NASA experts who already have a full schedule of work (They volunteer time to us from their "spare" time!) Others want times that they can count on from week to week so that they can build it into their schedules. We heard that request often last year, so our Landing to Launch series is holding a firm Wednesday schedule to see how the response is. Naturally, as sure as you select a time, there will be those who cannot make it. The best solution we have for time conflicts this time around is to suggest that folks participate by placing their questions into the question forum or chat room at a time convenient to them before the event and then return to see the archive at a later time. We will continue to explore ways to accommodate the most people possible. [Editor's note: David is a space shuttle flight controller in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center. He monitors hydraulic systems on board the orbiter during a mission.] STAYING BUSY FROM ONE FLIGHT TO THE NEXT by David Paternostro http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/paternostro.html October 10, 1999 Interviewer: Lori Keith A lot has happened since my last journal. I worked flight support for STS-88, when the Node 1 went up to the International Space Station (ISS). It was a neat flight with few problems. There was some difficulty when the docking team was berthing the Node to the FGB (Functional Cargo Block). This didn't occur on my shift, though. The shuttle robotic arm was attached to the Node and caused some drag when the crew tried to mate the two station parts together. Because of the drag, the docking team was unable to achieve proper alignment. The team was able to work through the problem by releasing the arm during the procedure. The team on console worked out the problem very professionally and logically. The construction of the space station will probably run into lots of little problems that will have to be worked out since this is a new undertaking for us all. I was the lead MMACS for STS-96 ascent/entry and docking, working in the front room of the MCC (Mission Control Center). This was Space Station Assembly Flight 2A.1. The STS-96 Shuttle Discovery flight will go into the books as the first docking of a shuttle with the International Space Station, and it was very exciting. [Remember that MMACS stands for mechanical, maintenance, arm, and crew systems.] I worked the planning shift MMACS for STS-93. The planning shift develops the next day's activities execute package, which is up-linked at the beginning of each crew day. The planning shift usually takes place during the time that the astronauts are sleeping. This execute package is decided after monitoring the current day's activities and data, ensuring all systems are working properly. The STS-93 Shuttle Columbia flight marked the first shuttle mission commanded by a woman. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mapper (SRTM) is going up on STS-99. I'll be working as the lead ascent/entry MMACS. I have done many simulations, or sims for short, for this mission, and will begin doing ascent/entry mission specific training sims again soon. The SRTM is an important payload for mapping the surface of the Earth. This flight could launch as early as December, if all the wiring inspections go well. During STS-93, a short in the wiring revealed wiring problems, and now all the orbiters are undergoing massive wiring inspections. Safety is of utmost importance at NASA. For Flight STS-92, which is Space Station Flight 3A, I am currently working on some cabin stowage issues and docking procedures. I support docking activities as mechanical officer. This flight will be the first to the ISS, after the placement of the service module. We are constantly changing and updating docking procedures because it is a rather new procedure. It is not as mature a system as most of the others on the orbiter. I may also work STS-103 -- in the backroom, on call. This is the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing mission, targeted for December 2. I spent most of August supporting a major exercise with my unit of the Naval Reserve - 7th Fleet Detachment. We do this annually, and I enjoy it. It's fun. We were training in Pohang, Korea. It's nice there, though it's always the rainy season when we visit. The kids are staying busy with school. David's in the 8th grade now, and he is a Star Scout. He's also on his school's cross-country running team. Erin is in 5th grade, and is quite the soccer player. Rachel is in 2nd grade, and is busy with soccer and dance lessons. Their activities keep us pretty busy. [Editor's note: Brandt is NASA Quest's correspondent at Kennedy Space Center and is the content and technical director of the Launch to Landing series.] MEET THE SISTER OF HURRICANE FLOYD - IRENE
By: Brandt Secosh http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/secosh.html October 18, 1999 Oh no - not again! It seems like hurricane Floyd just left us when it was announced that hurricane Irene would be paying us a visit. Irene was a low grade hurricane when the eye of the storm passed thirty-five miles to the east of Kennedy Space Center late Saturday afternoon. The highest sustained wind was measured at a velocity of 69 mph with the peak gust at 83 mph. The total rainfall was measured at 6.48 inches. Some of the facilities at KSC did sustain minor damage. Most of the damage was to trailers, modular buildings, storage sheds and buildings of light construction. Trees and signs were blown over and several of the traffic lights on the facility were blown from their pedestals. The VAB sustained minor damage when some of the siding panels were blown off. The VAB did not sustain any structural damage. The Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) had some water creep in under the hangar doors but the orbiters are safe and sound! I think it is fair to say that Irene caught the entire state a little bit off guard. In comparison to Floyd, the winds were minimal - but still hurricane force. The big issue was the amount of rainfall. We lost power at my home Saturday morning at 9:00 AM and still do not have power. I, along with 25,000 other Brevard county residents, will be without power until Wednesday night. Since Saturday night, my family and I have resorted to other forms of entertainment - like story telling around a candle and plenty of board games for entertainment. The toughest part for us is that COLD shower in the morning - brrrr! There were plenty of trees down around the city of Titusville and branches everywhere. Hurricane season is almost over now and we don't have to worry about snow! So, with that in mind things are looking up! MEANWHILE AT KSC: HURRICANE IRENE RECOVERY STATUS
Since Columbia is not in the loop of mission-ready orbiters, " Status of Columbia Processing" will be replace with a further update on Irene from the KSC website dated October 18: NASA conducted a preliminary damage assessment of Kennedy Space Center late Saturday after the passage of Hurricane Irene. The center of the storm passed approximately 35 miles east of Cape Canaveral at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The highest sustained wind velocity measured during the storm was 69 mph (60 knots) with a peak gust to 83 mph (72 knots) recorded at the wind tower near Complex 41. However, a sampling of other wind towers around the Complex 39 area showed the average sustained wind to be approximately 65 mph (56 knots). Total rainfall for the storm at KSC was 6.48 inches Most of the damage sustained was similar in nature to that from Hurricane Floyd. There is damage to trailers, modular buildings, storage sheds and other structures of light construction. Trees and various signs are blown over with traffic lights malfunctioning, a few blown off their pedestals. Some additional siding panels were lost from the Vehicle Assembly Building. There were no problems within the building. There is light roof damage at the Launch Control Center and there was some minor leakage. This is also the case with various other buildings around KSC. There was some water intrusion under the OPF hangar doors from blowing rain but no roof leakage around the orbiters. There was some water intrusion in the payload changeout room at Pad 39-B but no damage to either Pad A or Pad B. There was no damage or leakage at the Space Station Processing Facility and work resumed there Saturday night. There was some minor roof leakage at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility where the HST 3A payload is located. The flight hardware was covered and elevated for the storm and not at risk. At the Visitor Complex, no tours were run Saturday and the facility closed to visitors at Noon. Some siding panels were lost from the IMAX Theater during the storm and there was some minor leakage in various facilities. As a precaution, NASA management directed that no scheduled work be performed at KSC from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. As there is minimal processing activity scheduled on weekends, only about 250 people were affected.
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