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To: raygun
So like I said, much ado ‘bout nothing. Just take the stinkin’ LiH sensors out of the loop and run a nominal MECO (with oxidizer sensor backup).

Worst case situation is a bit of overspeed. Which they can bleed off by swinging around the moon and hook up with the ISS with time to spare.

Didn't know they had Lithium Hydride on board. I assume you mean liquid oxygen (abbreviated LH2). It's much ado about nothing until an off-nominal shutdown blows one of the SSMEs apart in the orbiter aft. In any case they would NEVER EVER have enough velocity to get anywhere near the moon. If the worst case was overspeed then they would have no problem, but the worst case is actually an underspeed or even a premature engine shutdown in which case we're talking abort to orbit or abort once around, immediately LOM. Possibly LOV and even LOVC. You're poo-pooing this situation as if it's nothing. Spaceflight is NOT routine no matter how easy the professionals make it look. These are still very experimental vehicles. The idea is to make the system as safe as possible. In other notes, the post-MMT briefing has started. Wayne Hale has announced they will attempt to launch tomorrow (as expected). ANY ECO sensor issues (be they LH2 or LOX) will be grounds for a scrub. The Launch Commit Criteria have been changed to only allow for FOUR good ECO sensors, previously they could launch with 3 of 4 working.

20 posted on 12/08/2007 2:01:27 PM PST by AntiKev ("No damage. The world's still turning isn't it?" - Stereo Goes Stellar - Blow Me A Holloway)
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To: AntiKev

Forecast is only 20% no go, i.e. 80% go.


21 posted on 12/08/2007 2:06:42 PM PST by AntiKev ("No damage. The world's still turning isn't it?" - Stereo Goes Stellar - Blow Me A Holloway)
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