Philosophy
One of two coolant systems aboard the International Space Station malfunctioned late Saturday, triggering alarms and extensive power shutdowns to keep critical systems from overheating.
The apparent failure of an ammonia pump in coolant loop A forced flight controllers to shut down two of four stabilizing gyroscopes, used to help control the space station’s orientation, one communications channel and several computer control units. The astronauts also installed jumpers between the Russian Zarya propulsion module and the U.S. segment of the lab complex to maintain proper cooling.
"It seems like we’re in a sim right now," flight engineer Tracy E. Caldwell Dyson joked with flight controllers shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, referring to training simulations.
NASA officials said the space station was in a safe, reduced-power configuration using coolant loop B. It took the astronauts several hours to complete the shutdowns, but flight controllers told them they could sleep late Sunday while analysis continued on the ground.
"We’re going to be working hard overnight to figure out what’s going on," astronaut James M. Kelly radioed from mission control shortly before the astronauts went back to bed. "By tomorrow, a little bit later on, hopefully we’ll be able to send you up a little bit better idea of where we stand on everything."
The International Space Station is equipped with two independent coolant loops mounted on the lab’s main solar power truss that use ammonia circulating through huge radiator panels to dissipate the heat generated by the station’s electronics.
While the loops are independent, the station cannot operate at full power with just one coolant loop. Spare components are on board, including two coolant system pumps, but installation is considered difficult and two spacewalks would likely be required.
Caldwell Dyson and Army Col. Douglas H. Wheelock were already planning to conduct a spacewalk Aug. 5 to mount a robot arm attachment fixture to the Zarya module and to rig the central Unity module for attachment of a storage compartment during a shuttle flight in November.
It is not yet known whether those plans will be affected by the problems with the coolant system.
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Philosophy
Half way to Mars and something similar happens...then what
"Space Station Malfunction Prompts Shutdowns"
by
William Harwood
August 1st, 2010
The New York Times
by
William Harwood
August 1st, 2010
The New York Times
One of two coolant systems aboard the International Space Station malfunctioned late Saturday, triggering alarms and extensive power shutdowns to keep critical systems from overheating.
The apparent failure of an ammonia pump in coolant loop A forced flight controllers to shut down two of four stabilizing gyroscopes, used to help control the space station’s orientation, one communications channel and several computer control units. The astronauts also installed jumpers between the Russian Zarya propulsion module and the U.S. segment of the lab complex to maintain proper cooling.
"It seems like we’re in a sim right now," flight engineer Tracy E. Caldwell Dyson joked with flight controllers shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, referring to training simulations.
NASA officials said the space station was in a safe, reduced-power configuration using coolant loop B. It took the astronauts several hours to complete the shutdowns, but flight controllers told them they could sleep late Sunday while analysis continued on the ground.
"We’re going to be working hard overnight to figure out what’s going on," astronaut James M. Kelly radioed from mission control shortly before the astronauts went back to bed. "By tomorrow, a little bit later on, hopefully we’ll be able to send you up a little bit better idea of where we stand on everything."
The International Space Station is equipped with two independent coolant loops mounted on the lab’s main solar power truss that use ammonia circulating through huge radiator panels to dissipate the heat generated by the station’s electronics.
While the loops are independent, the station cannot operate at full power with just one coolant loop. Spare components are on board, including two coolant system pumps, but installation is considered difficult and two spacewalks would likely be required.
Caldwell Dyson and Army Col. Douglas H. Wheelock were already planning to conduct a spacewalk Aug. 5 to mount a robot arm attachment fixture to the Zarya module and to rig the central Unity module for attachment of a storage compartment during a shuttle flight in November.
It is not yet known whether those plans will be affected by the problems with the coolant system.
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"China sends first woman into space" June 2912 USA TODAYChina launched its most ambitious space mission yet on Saturday, carrying its first female astronaut and two male colleagues in an attempt to dock with an orbiting module and work on board for more...
- Shuttle Discovery--the End
Suitable for printing and framing. "Ode to Discovery: Space shuttle ends a successful mission, career" Space shuttle Discovery taxied to a stop at Kennedy Space Center just before noon Wednesday, ending a triumphant 13-day mission and 27-year career....
- Shuttle Discovery Is Ready To Go...finally
At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a technician holds one of Discovery’s gaseous hydrogen flow control valves after its removal. The valves channel gaseous hydrogen from the main engines to the external tank. Finally, after days of postponement,...
- A Troubled Shuttle Dicovery?
An aged shuttle may have a problem. "NASA engineers inspect floating object, protrusion" by Juan A. Lozano This image provided by NASA shows a view of the Space Shuttle Discovery soon after the shuttle and the International Space...
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"Space Station Toilet Is Working Again" by John Schwartz June 5th, 2008 The New York Times The troublesome toilet aboard the International Space Station appears to be working again, thanks to a replacement pump taken to the station by the shuttle Discovery....