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Shuttle Mission: STS-113
Orbiter: Endeavour
Date: November 23, 2002

Did You Know?

Image: Montage of images including the Space Shuttle and American FlagPilot Paul Lockhart will have the unique experience of being a member of the crew that brought Expedition 5 up to the ISS - STS-111 - as well as the STS-113 crew, which will bring them home. Lockhart won't be the only familiar sight to the Exp. 5 crew: Just as they arrived at the Station on Orbiter Endeavour, they will be ferried back to Earth on Endeavour.

Image: Pilot, Paul Lockhart in Shuttle cockpit.
Pilot Paul Lockhart inspects the window of Endeavour's cockpit during a Crew Equipment Interface Test before the launch of STS-111.

Endeavour (OV-105) is named after the first ship commanded by 18th century British explorer James Cook. On its maiden voyage in 1788, Cook sailed into the South Pacific and around Tahiti to observe the passage of Venus between the Earth and the Sun. During another leg of the journey, Cook discovered New Zealand, surveyed Australia and navigated the Great Barrier Reef.

 
T-20 minutes and counting...

Activities escalate and the launch team's focus intensifies -- only one hour to go before liftoff! 

The orbiter's onboard computers are transitioned to launch configuration.  This includes:

Data processing system engineer confirmation that the onboard computers have been transitioned to the Terminal Countdown configuration.

Primary Ascent Software is loaded into the orbiter's computers and Endeavour's Commander James Wetherbee configures the backup Flight System software to a matching profile.

Verification that a dump of the orbiter's general purpose computer memory has been completed.

A purge of the three fuel cells is underway....

Pilot Paul Lockhart is also busy during this period accomplishing the following tasks:

Configuring cockpit displays for launch.

Performing the Main Propulsion System Helium System reconfiguration.  This activity ensures that helium isolation valves necessary for in-flight engine purges function properly and provide an emergency source of pressure for pneumatic shutdown of the engines.

Coordinates with Orbiter Test Conductor, Rudy Tench, to ensure proper Reaction Control System propellant tank levels.  This is required as part of checklist activities necessary to verify the appropriate configuration of cross-feed valves between the Orbital Maneuvering System and the Reaction Control System propellant tanks.

A gaseous nitrogen purge of the Orbiter's aft skirts is completed.  This flow of inert gas ensures that no explosive or flammable gases accumulate in the bottom of the Solid Rocket Boosters prior to launch. 

All nonessential personnel are cleared from the launch danger area. Final verification is received that all emergency aircraft and contingency support personnel are on station.

Page Last Revised Page & Curator Information
December 9, 2002 Online coverage by: Dennis Armstrong (NASA), Anna Heiney (IDI)
Web Development: Lynda Warnock & Debbie Barton (FDC)
Video Production: Chris Chamberland & Mike Chambers (Johnson Controls)
Countdown Clock by: Jim Fitzgerald (FDC)
NASA Official: Dennis Armstrong (Dennis.Armstrong-1@ksc.nasa.gov)
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