Satellite Servicing Demonstration

The Hubble Servicing Project goes to work
on other Satellites
(Page 4)

During the last week of April 2011, we installed the last two tools into RRM. They were
still being built at Goddard when we shipped the main payload. Again, here we
are in the High Bay of the SSPF.

One visitor during this week was William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations. He is in charge of manned space flight, which includes Space Station and Shuttle. He spent a long time with us as he was quite interested in our mission.

The final photo of the RRM in its complete flight form.

While we were in Florida for the late tool install above, we were expected to
see the final launch of Endeavour on April 29, 2011.
This one was crewed by Mark Kelly, who is the husband of Gabriel Giffords.
We were all very excited and glad to be able to catch this launch.

On launch day, we saw the astronaut crew exit their quarters and board the Astrovan to head to the launch pad.

20 Minutes after the above picture was taken, and while we were heading to our viewing location at the VAB, the launch was scrubbed due to a possible short in the heater power supply for the Auxiliary Power Unit. We would leave Florida without seeing the launch. Oh well, we will be back for the final one in July 2011.

On May 22 2011, we transferred from the LMC stand into the Canister.

In the above image, we are transferring our carrier and RRM from the stand into the Canister. This is the vehicle that transports our hardware to the launch pad.
Compare with this image from the HOST mission in 1998.

On June 1 2011, Endeavour made its last landing. One of my colleagues
(Dave Parker) snapped this image at KSC Headquarters showing
the Endeavour flag flying upside down. Per our understanding,
this follows an old naval tradition for a final sailing of a ship.

Comic strip I found on Satellite Servicing.

On June 24 2011, I went to the launch pad for the final time to
perform the Interface Verification Test (IVT). This is our final
verification of the power connections between the Orbiter
and our RRM hardware.

In this image, the entire Orbiter is covered with the Rotating Service Structure,
and the Payload Changeout Room (PCR). This room allows access to
the Cargo Bay of the Orbiter. Compare to this image.

This was part of the team that performed the IVT on all the hardware
in the Cargo Bay. The site is on the Mobile Launch Platform on
the side of the External Tank (ET). Photo by Tom Erdman.

This is the hatch opening with the traditional bag with the Orbiter name
on the hatch (Atlantis), and the logo of the mission on the seat platform.

Inside the Payload Changeout Room, which covers the Cargo Bay. This is in
front of the open Port Side door. You can see the very end of the Shuttle
robot arm on the right hand side (white and black).

The RRM is on the LMC carrier, and is 'underneath' the plate for the failed
Ammonia pump module. This module will be retrieved from the Space Station,
and brought back to the ground. Unfortunately, it means our hardware
is not readily visible.

This is at the top of the PCR, where the airlock for the Shuttle is located. The top
part is the wall of the crew cabin, and the red round curve is the rain gutter that keeps
the PCR dry during heavy storms. The black disk in the middle is the high-gain
satellite antenna for high-speed data and video downlink. The large silver
panel in the back is the starboard Cargo Bay Door.

To access the various parts of the Orbiter, platforms are setup, and some of these
do not have fences. In this case, you must wear a harness, and be tethered
to a reel. If you fall, and the reel feels the line pulling out quickly,
it will lock to save you (and the flight hardware). All tools need to
be tethered with a lanyard.

This being the last Shuttle flow, they allowed the team members to
sign the walls of the room. This was a great priviledge to
add a memory to this historic room and flight.

Close-up of what I wrote.

A sad moment. My last picture up close to a working Space Shuttle. Farewell Atlantis and
God Speed. Working with the Shuttle for 20 years has been incredibly rewarding.
6/24/2011 at noon.

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