December 2007 - Sarex (INACTIVE)

NASA To Launch Space Shuttle Atlantis No Earlier Than Sunday
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 09 Dec '07

09 Dec '07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is targeting the launch of space shuttle Atlantis no earlier than Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3:21 p.m. EST from the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Shuttle program managers made the decision after a meeting Friday to review data on a problem with a fuel cutoff sensor system inside the shuttle and its external fuel tank. Because of the length of the meeting, the managers agreed that targeting Sunday would allow the launch and management teams appropriate time to rest and prepare. The Mission Management Team will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. to decide whether to make a Sunday attempt. A news conference will be held after the meeting's conclusion. Atlantis' scheduled launch Thursday was delayed after two ECO sensors gave false readings. A third sensor failed after the tank was drained of fuel. The fuel cutoff sensor system is one of several that protects the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. During Atlantis' 11-day mission to the International Space Station, the shuttle and station crews will work with ground teams to install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory. The new lab will expand the station's scientific research capabilities. For more information about the STS-122 mission and its crew, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html> Kenneth - N5VHO

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NASA Postpones Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch; Aims for Friday
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 06 Dec '07

06 Dec '07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA has delayed Thursday's planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-122 mission to the International Space Station. The next liftoff opportunity is Friday at 4:09 p.m. EST. Shuttle program managers decided to postpone Atlantis' launch at 9:56 a.m. because of an issue with a fuel cut-off sensor system inside the external fuel tank. This is one of several systems that protect the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if fuel runs unexpectedly low. During countdown activities Thursday morning, two sensors failed a routine prelaunch check. There are four engine cut-off, or ECO, sensors inside the liquid hydrogen section of the tank, and Launch Commit Criteria require three of the four sensor systems to be functioning properly. The tank's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will be drained from the tank, and preparations will begin for a possible launch attempt tomorrow. NASA's launch rules have a preplanned procedure that states in the case of ECO sensor system failure, engineers need to drain the tank and verify all the sensors are working as they go dry. This and other data will be discussed at a Mission Management Team Meeting at 2 p.m., when a decision will be made whether to attempt to launch on Friday. A news conference will follow that meeting at 4 p.m. During Atlantis' 11-day mission, the crew will install and activate the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, which will provide scientists around the world the ability to conduct a variety of life, physical and materials science experiments. Atlantis' crew consists of Commander Steve Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, mission specialists Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanley Love and European Space Agency astronauts Hans Schlegel, from Germany, and Leopold Eyharts, from France. For the latest information about the STS-122 mission and its crew and more information about engine cut-off sensors, visit:http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle Source http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/dec/HQ_07266_Atlantis_Scrub_Release.ht…

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TV on ISS
by Tony VK5ZAI 04 Dec '07

04 Dec '07

The SERG (South East Radio Group) http://serg.mountgambier.org/ in Mt Gambier have been experimenting with TV on 1250 MHz and we have found that old B-MAC Satellite receivers without the LNB make excellent receivers for ham TV. There must be a lot of these receivers in junk boxes and provided they can be adapted to follow the doppler shift could be used for receiving TV from the ISS on 1250 MHz. in the future. We now have a 1250 MHz antenna installed on the Columbus module which will soon be launched. Just a thought!!! -- Regards Tony. VK5ZAI J.A.(Tony)Hutchison P.O.Box 470 Kingston SE South Australia 5275 National ARISS Co-ordinator and Satellite ground Station. Web Site :- http://www.electric-web.org

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