Comments on: Two Shuttles on the Pad — The Last Time http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 8 Nov 2009 10:14:11 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Dana Guy http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-35612 Dana Guy Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:44:32 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-35612 Thank you so much for this article & picture. I have loved & supported the Shuttle Program from the word go & I will miss it very much. I know progress is important & I hope that progress is made, for all our sakes. Thanks to all who are now working & have worked on the Shuttle program over the years. You've added a lot of 'magic' & 'dreams' to my life. Best of luck with all of your endeavors. Thank you so much for this article & picture. I have loved & supported the Shuttle Program from the word go & I will miss it very much. I know progress is important & I hope that progress is made, for all our sakes.
Thanks to all who are now working & have worked on the Shuttle program over the years. You've added a lot of 'magic' & 'dreams' to my life.
Best of luck with all of your endeavors.

]]> By: thulasidharan http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-35497 thulasidharan Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:23:58 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-35497 The following list details when both pads have simultaneously hosted space shuttles. STS-61-C (Columbia) and STS-51-L (Challenger) Dec. 22, 1985 (rollout of 51-L to Pad B) to Jan. 12, 1986 (launch of 61-C from Pad A) STS-31 (Discovery) and STS-35 (Columbia) April 22, 1990 (rollout of STS-35 to Pad A) to April 24, 1990 (launch of STS-31 from Pad B) STS-35 (Columbia) and STS-41 (Discovery) Sep. 4, 1990 (rollout of STS-41 to Pad B) to Oct. 6, 1990 (launch of STS-41 from Pad B) STS-38 (Atlantis) and STS-35 (Columbia) Oct. 14, 1990 (rollout of STS-35 to Pad B) to Nov. 15, 1990 (launch of STS-38 from Pad A) STS-37 (Atlantis) and STS-39 (Discovery) April 1, 1991 (rollout of STS-39 to Pad A) to April 5, 1991 (launch of STS-37 from Pad B) STS-45 (Atlantis) and STS-49 (Endeavour) March 13, 1992 (rollout of STS-49 to Pad B) to March 24, 1992 (launch of STS-45 from Pad A) STS-50 (Columbia) and STS-46 (Atlantis) June 11, 1992 (rollout of STS-46 to Pad B) to June 25, 1992 (launch of STS-50 from Pad A) STS-56 (Discovery) and STS-55 (Columbia) Feb. 7, 1993 (rollout of STS-55 to Pad A) to April 8, 1993 (launch of STS-56 from Pad B) STS-64 (Discovery) and STS-68 (Endeavour) Aug. 19, 1994 (rollout of STS-64 to Pad B) to Aug. 24, 1994 (rollback to VAB of STS-68 from Pad A) STS-71 (Atlantis) and STS-70 (Discovery) May 11, 1995 (rollout of STS-70 to Pad B) to June 8, 1995 (rollback to VAB of STS-70 from Pad B) STS-71 (Atlantis) and STS-70 (Discovery) June 15, 1995 (rollout of STS-70 to Pad B) to June 27, 1995 (launch of STS-71 from Pad A) STS-70 (Discovery) and STS-69 (Endeavour) July 6, 1995 (rollout of STS-69 to Pad A) to July 13, 1995 (launch of STS-70 from Pad B) STS-69 (Endeavour) and STS-73 (Columbia) Aug. 28, 1995 (rollout of STS-73 to Pad B) to Sept. 7, 1995 (launch of STS-69 from Pad A) STS-73 (Columbia) and STS-74 (Atlantis) Oct. 12, 1995 (rollout of STS-74 to Pad A) to Oct. 20, 1995 (launch of STS-73 from Pad B) STS-95 (Discovery) and STS-88 (Endeavour) Oct. 21, 1998 (rollout of STS-88 to Pad A) to Oct. 29, 1998 (launch of STS-95 from Pad B) STS-103 (Discovery) and STS-99 (Endeavour) Dec. 13, 1999 (rollout of STS-99 to Pad A) to Dec. 19, 1999 (launch of STS-103 from Pad B) STS-104 (Atlantis) and STS-105 (Discovery) July 2, 2001 (rollout of STS-105 to Pad A) to July 12, 2001 (launch of STS-104 from Pad B) The following list details when both pads have simultaneously hosted space shuttles.

STS-61-C (Columbia) and STS-51-L (Challenger)
Dec. 22, 1985 (rollout of 51-L to Pad B) to Jan. 12, 1986 (launch of 61-C from Pad A)

STS-31 (Discovery) and STS-35 (Columbia)
April 22, 1990 (rollout of STS-35 to Pad A) to April 24, 1990 (launch of STS-31 from Pad B)

STS-35 (Columbia) and STS-41 (Discovery)
Sep. 4, 1990 (rollout of STS-41 to Pad B) to Oct. 6, 1990 (launch of STS-41 from Pad B)

STS-38 (Atlantis) and STS-35 (Columbia)
Oct. 14, 1990 (rollout of STS-35 to Pad B) to Nov. 15, 1990 (launch of STS-38 from Pad A)

STS-37 (Atlantis) and STS-39 (Discovery)
April 1, 1991 (rollout of STS-39 to Pad A) to April 5, 1991 (launch of STS-37 from Pad B)

STS-45 (Atlantis) and STS-49 (Endeavour)
March 13, 1992 (rollout of STS-49 to Pad B) to March 24, 1992 (launch of STS-45 from Pad A)

STS-50 (Columbia) and STS-46 (Atlantis)
June 11, 1992 (rollout of STS-46 to Pad B) to June 25, 1992 (launch of STS-50 from Pad A)

STS-56 (Discovery) and STS-55 (Columbia)
Feb. 7, 1993 (rollout of STS-55 to Pad A) to April 8, 1993 (launch of STS-56 from Pad B)

STS-64 (Discovery) and STS-68 (Endeavour)
Aug. 19, 1994 (rollout of STS-64 to Pad B) to Aug. 24, 1994 (rollback to VAB of STS-68 from Pad A)

STS-71 (Atlantis) and STS-70 (Discovery)
May 11, 1995 (rollout of STS-70 to Pad B) to June 8, 1995 (rollback to VAB of STS-70 from Pad B)

STS-71 (Atlantis) and STS-70 (Discovery)
June 15, 1995 (rollout of STS-70 to Pad B) to June 27, 1995 (launch of STS-71 from Pad A)

STS-70 (Discovery) and STS-69 (Endeavour)
July 6, 1995 (rollout of STS-69 to Pad A) to July 13, 1995 (launch of STS-70 from Pad B)

STS-69 (Endeavour) and STS-73 (Columbia)
Aug. 28, 1995 (rollout of STS-73 to Pad B) to Sept. 7, 1995 (launch of STS-69 from Pad A)

STS-73 (Columbia) and STS-74 (Atlantis)
Oct. 12, 1995 (rollout of STS-74 to Pad A) to Oct. 20, 1995 (launch of STS-73 from Pad B)

STS-95 (Discovery) and STS-88 (Endeavour)
Oct. 21, 1998 (rollout of STS-88 to Pad A) to Oct. 29, 1998 (launch of STS-95 from Pad B)

STS-103 (Discovery) and STS-99 (Endeavour)
Dec. 13, 1999 (rollout of STS-99 to Pad A) to Dec. 19, 1999 (launch of STS-103 from Pad B)

STS-104 (Atlantis) and STS-105 (Discovery)
July 2, 2001 (rollout of STS-105 to Pad A) to July 12, 2001 (launch of STS-104 from Pad B)

]]> By: Jahmin http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-34598 Jahmin Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:58:08 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-34598 @Mike I don't know if they're taking the RCO IFM cable with them or not. But, I think the main reasons a rescue would be deemed necessary would be damaged caused during liftoff to the tiles, which means chance of successful reentry goes down. But, I'm with you, saying, ok, get the astronauts back in the rescue shuttle and then why not still try and remote land Atlantis, just in case luck's on our side and it's a good landing... Well, now we'll have to wait till next year. @Mike
I don't know if they're taking the RCO IFM cable with them or not. But, I think the main reasons a rescue would be deemed necessary would be damaged caused during liftoff to the tiles, which means chance of successful reentry goes down. But, I'm with you, saying, ok, get the astronauts back in the rescue shuttle and then why not still try and remote land Atlantis, just in case luck's on our side and it's a good landing…

Well, now we'll have to wait till next year.

]]> By: Mike http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33923 Mike Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:31:21 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33923 @Jahmin They aren't putting a RCO IFM cable on Atlantis just incase? @Jahmin

They aren't putting a RCO IFM cable on Atlantis just incase?

]]> By: El Sofista - Por última vez dos transbordadores ocupan las plataformas http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33876 El Sofista - Por última vez dos transbordadores ocupan las plataformas Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:38:24 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33876 Es algo poco frecuente pero también será la última vez que suceda: en estos momentos hay dos transbordadores emplazados en dos de las plataformas de lanzamiento del Centro Espacial Kennedy de la NASA [...] Fuente: Nancy Atkinson para Universe Today. Es algo poco frecuente pero también será la última vez que suceda: en estos momentos hay dos transbordadores emplazados en dos de las plataformas de lanzamiento del Centro Espacial Kennedy de la NASA [...] Fuente: Nancy Atkinson para Universe Today.

]]> By: dollhopf http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33530 dollhopf Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:00:01 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33530 hello Jahmin, "the astronauts would float in space suits from Atlantis to Endeavour" That should be a protracted activity until the last one can switch out the light and enter the small pressure chamber. hello Jahmin,

"the astronauts would float in space suits from Atlantis to Endeavour"

That should be a protracted activity until the last one can switch out the light and enter the small pressure chamber.

]]> By: Mike http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33466 Mike Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:29:39 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33466 Thanks, Jorge. With your help and a little more research, I'll answer my own question. STS-104 and 105 were both on pads from 2 Jul 2001 (105 roll out) til 12 Jul 2001 (104 launch). Thanks, Jorge. With your help and a little more research, I'll answer my own question. STS-104 and 105 were both on pads from 2 Jul 2001 (105 roll out) til 12 Jul 2001 (104 launch).

]]> By: Jorge http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33461 Jorge Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:51:25 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33461 Well, FWIW, it's NASA itself that says this is the first time since July 2001 there are two shuttles on the pads. I don't know what to make of it, since STS-104 went up in July 12, wereas STS-105 was the next mission, having taken off almost a month later, in August 10. I know that the shuttle usualy remains for a while in the pad, but one full month? They do say it, though. See: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/ Well, FWIW, it's NASA itself that says this is the first time since July 2001 there are two shuttles on the pads.

I don't know what to make of it, since STS-104 went up in July 12, wereas STS-105 was the next mission, having taken off almost a month later, in August 10. I know that the shuttle usualy remains for a while in the pad, but one full month?

They do say it, though. See:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/

]]> By: Astrofiend http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33459 Astrofiend Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:43:19 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33459 "I hope a rescue isn't called cause then we'll be down to only 2 shuttles." >I'd say if a rescue mission was necessary, no shuttles would ever fly again, period. So it'd be a bit academic how many shuttles were left... "I hope a rescue isn't called cause then we'll be down to only 2 shuttles."

>I'd say if a rescue mission was necessary, no shuttles would ever fly again, period. So it'd be a bit academic how many shuttles were left…

]]> By: Mike http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33451 Mike Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:52:03 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33451 Can anyone say with certainty if two shuttles have EVER been simultaneously on pads (i.e., date, STS numbers, not just a guess)? I've followed the program pretty closely since the beginning and I think this is the first time. Can anyone say with certainty if two shuttles have EVER been simultaneously on pads (i.e., date, STS numbers, not just a guess)? I've followed the program pretty closely since the beginning and I think this is the first time.

]]> By: Jahmin http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33438 Jahmin Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:27:52 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33438 @ dollhopf Yes, I read in an article somewhere that the Flight Director said that once a rescue mission was deemed necessary, then Atlantis would have to be burned up in the atmosphere. Not sure about umanned landing. I dont think leaving it up in orbit is an option due to possible danger as space junk to future missions. He also said that once a rescue mission was called for, it would take about 5-6 days to launch Endeavour - regarding fueling up maybe and he described how the astronauts would float in space suits from Atlantis to Endeavour. I hope a rescue isn't called cause then we'll be down to only 2 shuttles. @ dollhopf
Yes, I read in an article somewhere that the Flight Director said that once a rescue mission was deemed necessary, then Atlantis would have to be burned up in the atmosphere. Not sure about umanned landing. I dont think leaving it up in orbit is an option due to possible danger as space junk to future missions.

He also said that once a rescue mission was called for, it would take about 5-6 days to launch Endeavour – regarding fueling up maybe and he described how the astronauts would float in space suits from Atlantis to Endeavour.

I hope a rescue isn't called cause then we'll be down to only 2 shuttles.

]]> By: alandee http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33418 alandee Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:07:22 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33418 What a sad sight .. I love the old girls .. What a sad sight .. I love the old girls ..

]]> By: Steven http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33327 Steven Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:56:50 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33327 Looks great, even after all these years. Looks great, even after all these years.

]]> By: Sili http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33326 Sili Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:12:10 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33326 Thank you for the clarification about why it's necessary to move around Endeavour. Still think it's silly, but at least there's some sorta rationalisation of it. Thank you for the clarification about why it's necessary to move around Endeavour. Still think it's silly, but at least there's some sorta rationalisation of it.

]]> By: dollhopf http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/19/two-shuttles-on-the-pad-the-last-time/comment-page-1/#comment-33304 dollhopf Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:36:40 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/?p=18361#comment-33304 Would a damaged shuttle be abandoned in orbit or be plunged and burned up in the atmosphere? Could it be brought back remotely? What optional actions would a rescue operation include? Would a damaged shuttle be abandoned in orbit or be plunged and burned up in the atmosphere? Could it be brought back remotely? What optional actions would a rescue operation include?

]]>