Imagery complete...Next, analysis and decision making

Today, with the imagery team, we looked at images downlinked from the space station. There were a couple thermal blankets that had a small tear. However, this is not something that is a threat to the re-entry of the vehicle. There was a small damage in between the commander and pilot's window. Again, the damage is small and is not a threat.

I am extremley impressed as to how "clean" the tiles were. There were damages, but not of them fell out of the criteria we have for size in specific zones of the orbiter. We did have a couple of protruding gap fillers that are undergoing analysis at the moment. The analysis is to be done by the aeroheating group to see what the effects are on the boundary layer. So if the analysis shows it will be a threat upon re-entry, managers will need to decide if an EVA is required to pull the gap filler on a spacewalk, just as in the last flight (STS-114). Today was a long day. I went in at 8:30am and didn't get out till about 8:00pm. And this is that I left early because I have a paper for school that I want to work on. However, there were others that have been there longer, and stayed there longer today. Tomorrow will be an even longer day as meetings will be held and charts for briefings will need to be prepared based on the analysis for these in-flight anomalies. I go in at 7am and i may be working more than 12 hrs tomorrow.

It was a great day though. I have got to say that being part of the mission is the biggest pay-off in my job. I couldn't ask for anything better. I am surrounded by great co-workers and they are all team-players. I was watching the NASA tv downlink and waited for the orbiter to dock to the space station. when it did, it was so great to see the crew come to the space station. My biggest fan right now is Mike Fossum (also a graduate from Texas A&M University!!!). It's his first flight and he just has the biggest smile on him all the time. But it was just so cool how i was just sitting there at work, watching the astronauts downlink the images, and then an hour later, i am looking at them for damages. It's all amazing to me and just makes me want to hop on the next shuttle (Haha...too bad it's not that easy to do)!!


If you want to see pictures of the damages, you can visit this site: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/cat.asp?cid=4

I've arrived in houston

I'm in Houston now. It's late and I should be in bed because I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I will be looking at the imagery downlink images that the space station crew will be taking of the orbiter's belly. We will look for any damages or discrepancies on tiles, blankets, or regarding gap fillers. I'll update everyone more later. I just checked in to my hotel and need to iron (yuck..not a fan of ironing..)

-Damaris

Today's Successful Launch

We have ACCEPTABLE launch conditions. "Go" for STS-121!!!

We are go for launch everyone!!! Here are some pictures of the foam that was evaluated. A borescope was used to inspect the crack and they have evaluated and run further analysis to determine that we can proceed with the launch tomorrow! (yey!)










I did want to mention this: NASA has public phone numbers in the case that if you're unable to listen to NASA TV when they have the press conferences even during the launch countdown, these lines are available at "monitor only". you can call it and just listen in. Its exactly whats being said during on the television. Now there isn't something being said every minute, so if you don't hear something then try back because they may just have the cameras on the shuttle and not be saying anything. 321/867-1220, 321/867-1240, or 321/867-1260



Almost forgot to share some pictures of discovery on the launch pad!!!! Enjoy!

Even tomorrow's launch may not happen.

Yesterday after the scrub, there is an inspecting crew that inspected the external tank for ice buildup and looked for any cracks or missing foam. Well, a crack was found. It's in discussion right now, whether it needs to be repaired and what the options are. The crack was found on the foam insulation near one of the holding brackets that hold the oxygen feed line. It's about 4-5 inches in length.

Read more about the External Tank foam crack here...

Scrub! We'll try again on Tuesday

Someone do a rain dance to make these clouds go away! haha. Well, we are going to attempt another launch on Tuesday because tomorrow's predicted weather forecasts a 60% chance of unacceptable launch conditions.
-Damaris

Let's try this again....

Today i had to provide engineering support so i was at work early enough to beat the traffic of everyone coming to view the launch. However, due to weather and then a boat being in restricted area, the launch did not happen. At work we really though the shuttle was going to take off today because there were absolutely no clouds over the shuttle and on the coast side...but there were some heavy clouds inland. There cannot be heavy clouds within a 25 mile radius of the launch site. Not only is it for visibility, but it is also incase something goes wrong and an abort mode, such as the Return to Launch Site (RTLS) is approved. This is a very dangerous abort mode.

But guess what?! I did get to see Vice President Dick Cheney. While we were working, he was given a quick mini-tour of the obiter processing facility. There were secret service guys all over the place and security was very tight.

Well tomorrow i will be back at work and wait to see if we launch at 3:26 pm. I've been watching the weather channel and it says we're going to have afternoon showers. We'll see, but keep your fingers crossed!! :)

Go STS-121!!

The tank is filled and the crew will arrive in 3 hrs!!!

Here's the time for those who can't be here to see it, to start refreshing this page about every couple minutes, hours....to see up-to-date news. Especially when it gets closer to the final countdown...

Click here for Mission Status!!

Launch countdown start tomorrow at 5pm!!!!

Starting today is about the day that you may want to be checking this site below more frequently. Hopefully the weather will be good for a launch on saturday. It just finished hailing and storming here in orlando!!

The countdown tomorrow starts at 5pm. This is where the excitement starts y'all!
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts121/status.html

Before Discovery takes off, I am going to try to get a picture of her sitting out on the launch pad. Hope everyone is having a great week!

~Damaris

STS-121: Discovery Set to Launch July 1

here is the press release on the results of the FRR. We're go for launch on July 1. Get excited y'all!!!

Where I am these days.....

Wow, I didn't think taking two courses this semester was going to be so hectic. I guess the stress and workload with the launch has something to do with it too. I am in the middle of writing 3 research papers and i have until the end of this week to complete my midterm. At the same time, i am trying to get ahead because as soon as Discovery launches, i am being flown out to houston for imagery support. I decided that next semester I am going to just take one course to make time for starting flying lessons. (yey!)

Today the flight readiness review (FRR) for STS-121 ended. it was on friday and saturday (today). During the FRR is when managers discuss any final assessments and finalize the launch date. i tried searching all over to see what the outcome was....but unless something comes out tomorrow..then i won't find out till monday.

Again, i will post my most favorite site for everyone to keep track of up-to-date news on the mission:

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts121/fdf/calendar.html

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts121/status.html

My daddy came up for the weekend. So far we have watched the World Cup, ate Sushi at Wazzabi, and now are lounging on the couch getting ready to watch a movie. I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend...To all the fathers out there...have a Happy Father's Day weekend...

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy"
F.Y.I: The first father's day was on June 10, 1910 in Spokane, WA but became national in 1972.

I'm going to go read some more. Break time is over. :)
-Damaris

Tile Coupon Samples Coming Out Of The Oven

wish you guys all could have been here to do this. First of all, I wasn't able to get pictures of me making my tiles. but i did want to show you this. This is just a test coupon of the material (silica) that the tiles are made of. The pictures shown here are of tiles coupons in the oven at 2200 degrees fahrenheit!!! It was hard to get good pictures because the camera was acting up due to the low light. the ones of me holding the sample coupon did not come out good. Basically, after the tile is coated (black ceramic coating), it goes into the oven to cure the coating, then it is waterproofed. When these coupons come out of the oven, the middle of the sample are hot, but the edges are cool enough to hold, just how one of the techs here is holding. But imagine that.. coming out of the oven at 2200 degrees F, and touching it with your bare hands...!!! :) Too cool.

Coming home from Houston

What did I miss on Friday?!? Discovery rolling out to the launch pad!! But I was able to get a great picture from a co-worker!! I'm coming home today from houston. i have been here for mission imagery support and yesterday I participated as maid of honor in my best friend's wedding. Come Monday......back to work, bright and early!

At NASA JSC

I just arrived today in Houston, Texas for another imagery support training. If you've read my previous blogs when I've been in houston, then you know what I will be doing (Analyzing Hi-res images for damages to tiles/blankets/gap filler). I am working through wednesday and then thurs-sun I am taking vacation because I am the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding. This is the first wedding I have ever been in, but I am excited. I hope you all enjoyed the pictures I posted last week. When I get back to kennedy space center I will post the ones of the tile I made myself!!!! :)

Some more pictures of Discovery moving into the VAB

Discovery is now parked in the VAB!!!

Astronaut John Phillips and I

Well hi everyone! Work has been keeping me very busy, but that's how I like it! This picture was taken today. Astronaut John Phillips was here at KSC today. He was on the International Space Station Expedition 11 for 6 months! Shuttle Discovery will be rolling out of the OPF (Orbiter Processing Facility) Friday around 10am. So, be prepared because its about that time that you will see a lot of cool pictures from me.....

Monday I started learning how to make my very own shuttle tile. I am familiar with the process because I helped write it, but I started actually making my own. Monday consisted of cutting the tile and sanding it. Then it goes through a heatcleaning and waterproofing stage that the ovens do. Tomorrow I will be coating the tile. I'll be sure to take some pictures.

Today was the first day in a long time that we received rain. And, it was still just a little bit. The brush fires have had a major impact on the highways and increased my work travel time to an hour and a half. In the morning the fog and smoke just don't help. They've closed certain roads in the mornings because there have been so many accidents due to people not driving carefully through the thick smoke and fog. Last week, there were patches of smoke that I couldn't even see 10 feet in front of my car.

Mobile Launch Platform (MLP)

The purpose of the Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) is to move the fully assembled Space Shuttle to the launch pad for flight. It weighs about 6 million pounds and the speedometer only goes from 0 to 2 mph. It usually takes about 5 hours for the trip from the Vehicle Assemble Building (VAB) to the launch pad (3 1/2 miles!!!!). I couldn't get a picture of it on friday, but what I wanted to show here was the rock path to the side of the VAB. Since the MLP weighs so much, "rock paths" are laid out so the MLP doesn't crush the ground cement. You can sort of see in the picture the whole rocks and then the finely crushed-rock footprints the crawler transporter left behind.

I have complete my first graduate course..yey!

I just finished taking part 2 of my online final. First let me share with you the craziness I went through. I took part 1 of my final on thursday around midnight. By the time I finished, I was debating on whether or not I should move on to part 2. I decided to take it because I didn't want to worry about it on friday or the weekend. So at 2:00 am I start my final..then..with my luck, as I was trying to submit question 2, it said "page cannot be displayed". Adelphia (my cable ISP) decided to do a maintenance till 6am. I'd have to say I was not very happy. The session was timed for only an hour an a half! I couldn't sleep because I was worrying that my professor wasn't going to buy my story. Since I didn't sleep, i kept refreshing the page and then finally at 5:38, it was back up. I emailed the prof with my situation and then had to get ready for work. Just today, he reset it for me since I was locked out. But, I am done with this class. My next term starts May 7th and I signed up for two classes. They are Human Factors in Aviation/Aerospace Systems and Aircraft and Spacecraft Development. Lessons learned: I will never take an online final after midnight, and for my next classes, I will pace myself better.

Since my last post....

Wow, it has been over a month since my last post. Many things to update on. First of all, I absolutely had a blast being a guest speaker for Ridley Park High School. I just thought it was great to be able to speak to students with such potential and that they have the ability to do what they're passionate about. It's all about going after what you want and sometimes we just all need to be reminded of that. Myself included... Boeing did an article on me when I got back from the presentation. I will scan and post as a jpg. later today. Currently, I am trying to fit into my schedule to be a guest speaker for Starfleet International.

In the beginning of this month I attending another mission imagery simulation at NASA JSC in Houston, TX. The simulations are to do a run-through as if it were really during the mission. For this imagery sim, we were looking for damages on the orbiter tiles/thermal blankets outside of a set criteria. Prior to the sim, there is a group that takes the images from the previous mission (STS-114) and "creates" discrepancies using a photo editor. So during the sim, you have no idea what to expect and you have to catch everything.

I am taking a break right now in preparing for finals....If you see the time I am posting this (3:30am-ish), you will see this is an "all-nighter" for me. I have a paper to complete by 8am, then I continue on preparing for my final that I have to take this friday.



My sister attended a conference in CT. and needed to leave my little niece with me for four days. This little girl has so much energy!! I commend those parents out there who are able to balance it all! In just four days I learned how tough it is to be a parent and that I am definitely not ready to have kids (hee hee). It was great fun though and very rewarding everytime Ashley would give me a kiss and wrap her arms around me. Just for that...I am posting a picture of her on my blog...To share to the world her beautiful innocent smile. Ok..I have to get back to studying...I'll write more after finals!

P.S Have a Happy Easter!