September 2006
SimNASA Shuttle program to end this weekend
Posted Friday, September 29, 2006
As with all things, there is a beginning and an end. With the SimNASA shuttle fleet, this weekend will mark the end of one of the longest running space programs in SimNASA history. Currently in orbit, Jeff Parker and David Barlow have spent the last two weeks completing the final construction on Skylab-Columbia and doing Earth observation experiments.
Beginning in late October of 2003, the SimNASA shuttle program was started with a series of drop test at Edwards AFB. Commander Brian Lang and Veteran Astronaut Jim Aylor performed the first drop test using STS Goddard which lasting just under 4 minutes.
The next test mission designated STS-TO (Test Orbit), was launched just under a month later. The primary function of STS-T0 was to do a full orbital test of the Shuttle systems. Commanded by Segej Puskic and Lance Addition the mission was a complete success. STS-TO was the only mission diverted to White Sands, New Mexico since the landing sites at Edwards and Kennedy where over the permitted weather conditions.
With the success of STS-TO the Shuttle program was deemed fully operational. Since that time each successive shuttle mission was used for either contruction and resupply of Skylab-Columbia, or the transfer of crews to and from the orbiting station.
STS-18 is schedule to land this weekend at Edwards. "Freedom" was the first shuttle in orbit on STS-TO, and now is the last shuttle to fly.
SimNASA wishes to thank all those who have participated in our shuttle program. It has been a great success and the contributions of many hours of service by SimNASA staff members both past and present, as well as SimNASA astronauts. Few of the original shuttle astronauts remain with SimNASA today. They are to be especially thanked for sticking with the program for the entire duration. Of special note is Jeff Parker who not only commanded STS-1, but now ends our program as the commander of STS-18.
The next few months will be a time of transition with SimNASA. As we now close the shuttle program, we are beginning a new chapter in SimNASA history. Unlike recreating past/present space programs, we now go into the future of manned space.
STS-18 Launch, "A Total Success"
Posted Monday, September 18, 2006
STS-18 "Freedom" Commander Jeff Parker and Pilot Dave Barlow have successfully launched yesterday at 09:31:58 UT. Solid Rocket Booster separation occurred approximately four minutes later, with Main Engine Cut-Off at 09:40:12 UT. External separation occurred shortly thereafter at 09:40:30 UT. The STS-18 crew expertly navigated to and docked with the SkyLab-Columbia Space Station later that same day at 12:05:00 UT.
Pilot Dave Barlow remarked "Launch was a total success," and everything, "went as planned."
"Dave did a great job and all his training and preparation paid off" added Commander Jeff Parker, "it went so well I even had time to sleep on the way up!"
The crew shall attach the last two components to the Skylab-Columbia Space Station - a pair of pressurized matting adapters (PMA). The new PMA's shall fully convert the SCSS into a truly universal space station by allowing the next generation of SimNASA spacecraft to dock while providing backward capability for older docking technology.
- Reporting for SimNASA: Mike Caruso, Public Affairs Officer
STS-18 Ready for launch
Posted Friday, September 15, 2006
STS-18 Freedom is poised for its final flight this weekend, and with it the end of STS launches. Scheduled for lift off at 09:31 UT Sunday, dignitaries from around the world are making their way to Kennedy Space Center to send off the Freedom on it journey.
Taking command of the final flight is Jeff Parker, a veteran of the first STS and rookie astronaut Dave Barlow. As part of their scheduled fourteen day mission, Parker and Barlow will attach the last two components to the Skylab-Columbia Space Station (SCSS) - a pair of pressurized matting adapters (PMA).
The new PMA will fully convert SCSS into a universal station allowing the next generation of SimNASA spacecraft to dock while providing backward capability for older docking technology.
Currently the SCSS-9 crew is preparing for the arrival of STS-18 later in the week and will assist with the final construction tasks. As part of that preparation the SCSS-9 crew remotely moved ATV-5 from its docking port on port 9 to one of the outboard docking ports on the station.
Because of the nature and the position that Freedom will need to take to attach the PMA's, the crew of SCSS-9 will board the currently docked AESC-9 spacecraft, undock from the station and will watch while Parker and Barlow attach the adapters. This will be the first time, since SCSS missions that the station has been empty. Once the work of the PMA's is done the SCSS-9 will return to the station.
Coverage of the launch will be carried on the SimNASA Ventrilo server with video coverage on SimNASA LIVE!. A vMC feed will be available to the SCSS-9 crew as well.
Freedom checks out
Posted Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Over the long Labor Day weekend, STS-18 "Freedom" rolled out of Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and made the 10 hour journey to Launch Complex 39A. Techincians reported today Freedom checked out and that everything would be ready for a launch as early as September 9th.
"We are really sad to see that this is the last of our shuttle flights, but we are looking forward to the future that the next generation of spacecraft will give us." A SimNASA spokeman told reporters.
STS-18 brings veteran astronaut Jeff Parker back into the commander seat. Parker commanded the first operation STS flight aboard "Venerable" and was also instrumental in the initial test flight phase of the STS program. "Jeff is an excellent commander, and there isn't anyone else that I can think of that would be more deserving to bring the STS flight era to an end." SimNASA Administrator Brad Hodges said in a written statement.
The exact launch date and time has yet to be determined but will be announced shortly.
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