"Ice Team" Inspects NASA's Shuttle Atlantis During STS-132 Launch Countdown

[shellybirdy]

love the video man

[distractionxx]

brilliant video

[thegreeensky]

very nice.. great video quality.. :)

[rakuten231]

整備班チームの機体最終チェックでしょうか。

各自、詳細にわたって真剣に点検してます。

[csapilot1]

What is that gas exhautsing from SSME? thx

[HNDNV07]

@csapilot1 If I'm correct, that is liquid hydrogen (LH2) turning to gas and venting.

[csapilot1]

@HNDNV07 And the main question...why does it happen?

[HNDNV07]

@HNDNV07 Sorry, that is liquid oxygen (LOx). Honestly, I don't remember the reason as to why it happens. I think while the LOx is being topped off the excess turns to gas so it remains at full capacity in the LOx tank.

[amgen52]

@HNDNV07 The liquid oxygen which you see venting is boiling off because of its cold temperature. Its in a constant state of refilling until a minute or two before launch. Its vented to the side so it doesnt form ice on the tank. The liquid hydrogen is vented as well but is burned off because of its explosive qualities.

[HNDNV07]

@amgen52 Voted up. I'm confused (slow learner, sorry) about the part "boiling off because of it's cold temperature". I think LOx is like minus 323 degrees? What's the cause of the actual venting from the SSME and the "beanie cap". And the LH2 burns off from the flare stack located away from the pad -- usually seen at night launches. Thank you.

[amgen52]

@HNDNV07 The process of filling a hugh tank with liquid oxygen and keeping it cold and under pressure is tough in Florida sitting in the sun and obviously not an exact science. Boiling off just means it is trying to get back to its natural gaseous state. The oxygen vent is the beanie cap. The venting near the engine is also oxygen for chilldown purposes.

[ridethewake90ify]

Wow they have an armored vehicle follow them

[undress68]

GREAT footage!!! thanks a lot for posting!

[tipo16v]

Still wondering what the stema is for. Can anybody give details? Thanks.

[furgee]

Just curious as to what those ropes or whatever it was they were pulling off of there were.

[tactheemt]

@furgee Those are hoses. The launch team has to wait until the Ice Team inspects the Thermal Protection System and gives the go ahead to fuel the shuttle. They were removing the hoses after filling the External Tanks with about 500,000 gallons of cryogenic liquid oxygen and hydrogen propellants.

[Neptuneaus]

I'm going to venture a guess and say that's probably a no smoking zone.

[tak0242424]

I wish Space Shuttle wont retire...

[jubilada07]

Goerge W. Bush's administration and congress chose to cancel the Shuttle program back in 2008. Don't blame Obama!

[HoradosVideos]

What is that the steam coming out of the spacecraft and serves Praque and if something wrong was written excuse is that I am Brazilian

[HoradosVideos]

What is that the steam coming out of the spacecraft and serves Praque and if something wrong was written excuse is that I am Brazilian

Ouvir

Ler foneticamente

[oomblikkies]

Mighty impressive. Damn, I will miss those shuttles.

[rjholling]

Amazing. Too bad all these people will soon be unemployed thanks to Lori Garver and Barack Obama. My heart goes out to all workers at KSC. You guys really do a great job.

[Neptuneaus]

@rjholling The decision to retire the shuttle (had originally been scheduled for 2010) was made by the Bush Administration, not Obama. Even a brief search would have mad that apparent.

[Jimbob8971]

@rjholling you mean bush not obama

[brudicchio25]

BELLISSIMO questo video! interessante vedere questa squadra effettuare il controllo finale... bravi ho visto che fate bene il vostro lavoro.

[ConservativeBasher]

Absolutely Amazing. We truly are capable of anything.

[martinmary555]

I think it run on water!!!

[NZReedy]

Looks like you guys know your job inside out..

Good Video, do you use a TIC ?

[BerggreenDK]

Wonderfull !!! love these "behind the scenes" movies... wish I had had access to these for all 30 years... would have been awesome to be a kid and watch those!

[lackman15]

What's the story with 13:30 and the dispatcher saying they will need to pull over if the flight crew drives by? It looked as though the flight crew was escorted by a police car, SWAT bus, and a helicopter. What's the deal there? Astronauts are definitely cool and all but it almost seemed like an M1 Tank was about to roll past in the escort, too. These guys are awesome, but are they really a high target? I would only expect this level of security for the President.

[jackjohnbob]

@lackman15 I think the reason is probably that the Space Shuttle and its crew represent an absolutely *massive* investment, and (IMO at least) they're a pretty important symbol of America. Just because we can't really imagine it being attacked doesn't mean it shouldn't be protected - personally I'd protect it like any other investment of a similar value! Also, I'm sure that the security is an effective deterrent to anyone who might consider tampering with/attacking it.

[lackman15]

@jackjohnbob That makes sense. I can understand such security for the shuttle, but was just shocked at the amount of security for the flight crew. I seriously doubt they have secret service agents on them when walking around a shopping mall on personal business?

[RebornAc3]

what are those white gases?

[sledger25]

@RebornAc3 that white gas you see is oxygen

[MrBwian]

I want their job :-)

[stuartwwillis]

"kids, we will give you a picture of the rocket ship... just put a cross where you see ice!"

[KICKROCKS561]

wow really we pay people to look threw binoculars at the shuttle ., you would think that they would make this job a little bit harder do to the fact how expensive the shuttle is . a child can do this job .

[laserfloyd]

@KICKROCKS561 They're looking at specific areas all around the shuttle (joints, valves, etc) for any ice that may fall off at liftoff or at some point during ascent. It's not a job to take lightly. A relatively small piece of foam doomed Columbia. Ice is a very real problem. If it isn't reported and handled properly the bad things can happen.

[lackman15]

@KICKROCKS561 Because what meets the eye is everything there is to it, right? You have no idea what you're talking about. These guys are expertly trained to look for certain things. That's like saying just equip a child with an M16 and he'll go take down all the bad guys in Iraq.

[Neutrinoghost]

How the hell do you get that job? I bet they don't advertise in the local paper.

[Kenjineering]

I loved the shot of the American flag and Atlantis flag flapping in the breeze with the shuttle in the background. Lol I'm not even American

[TV321liftoff]

@Kenjineering the same photographer shot it all

[alonsodocYT]

I cant stop to view:

**Qualified people

**Great installations not deteriored

** Complexity (something not so good).

So NASA and conscious people in USA have to UPGRADE your manned space program, NOT CANCELING IT or changing it to the point of make it useles.

[mjkobb]

Great video! Your description mentions that it was shot in high-definition. It'd be great if you could upload this as an HD video!

[BeechSundowner]

Awesome video, sad to see the shuttle program come to an end.

[ArmyFtBall]

Great Video!!! Could you do one on the loading of the payload bay in the shuttle on the pad?

[pilotwave]

amazing! thank you, NASA for sharing.

[hackneysaregreat]

That's the walkaround/ inspection of a lifetime...

Stunning!

[UnTiedMusicStudio]

The steam is actually liquid oxygen boiling off. The liquid hydrogen also boils off, but is extremely dangerous and is piped a few hundred yards away and burned off. If you watch a launch prep night shot you can see its orange flame coming from the ground at some distance.

[oriontrail]

WOW! I've never seen this before! Great prelounch view of the shuttle!

[tomsson11]

The white smoke, is that from the coolingsystem to cool down the fuel? or what is that??

[karrpoff]

@tomsson11 I found from wikipedia:Liquid hydrogen "To exist as a liquid, H2 must be pressurized and cooled to a very low temperature, 20.28 Kelvins". So, maybe that white smoke is for cooling rocket fuel.

[tomsson11]

@karrpoff Thanks!!! It most be like that!!! Thanks!

[sledger25]

@tomsson11 thats the liquid oxygen evaporating

[rodrigolaz]

Amazing... Thanks... Years, Incredible, Memories Unforgettable | Rodrigo Lazzarini

[wrigleyx]

c'est balaise quand même! y a des tuyots partout, des gars qui font des relevé de je n'sais quoi, des cocottes minutes à l'envers qui fumes.....serieusement c'est assez dingue :)

[coffeebuzzz]

Wow, no hardhats in an area that is known to have ice chunks forming at higher levels above workers heads. Then again, strapping yourself to the top of a bomb isn't the brightest idea either, so I say, carry on.

[IdolbiOK]

look at that crucial moments!

[sterlingman]

Excellent and interesting video.

[hrisebro]

Thanks for this! I do wish, however, if possible, that you deinterlace the video before putting it on youtube. You can really notice the interlacing in some of the fast moving parts.

[UdallIn72]

@hrisebro

I'm sure he'll be happy to refund your zero dollars, you spoiled bastard.

I'm kidding when I say that, but only sort of.

[hrisebro]

@UdallIn72 Sorry for coming with suggestions. I love the NASA-TV service, and I use it a lot. I just figured i could come with a suggestion to make the service even better...

[HarblesTheSkeptial]

Outstanding NASAtelevision!

More like this please.

Hi Def behind the scenes look at what it takes to launch an Orbiter.

I also like Mike Massimino's 'Behind the Scenes' work on the people, Astros and training and support staff.

Thanks again!

[kurtjmac]

Anyone have any info on what those two cables they pull at 5:45 are?

[BLUFISH61]

Great insight - thanks for sharing.

[kris1991]

Amazing behind-the-scenes videos from NASA!!!

[1234b56a78]

Muito bom (very good)

Um abraso para voces da nasa do Brasil!

(An abrasive for y'all from nasa of Brazil)

[spacearium]

They're all NASA/USA employees, but they all volunteer to work on the final Inspection Team before launch. It's not a regular part of their actual jobs.

[mynextstopkraljevo]

Great quality recording! The picture is so sharp and the sound so rich - even for my non-HD Sony Ericsson W595 Walkman mobile phone!

[TraceurZeno]

One of the best job's in the world.

I can only dream of seeing a launch with my own eyes.

Thanks to Nasa and the Ice team for the behind the scenes footage

[MrBennetzen]

@TraceurZeno You got to remember all the people are volunteers, because there are things that can go seriously wrong in a heartbeat.

[jonmikelk]

whats all vapor?

[RJY4356]

@jonmikelk Liquid oxygen continually is vented through the External Tnak nose cone and through the Fuel Bleed Valves on each of the 3 main engines. The venting off the External Tank stops at T-02:55 when the LOX tank is pressurized. The engines continue to vent until the main engine start command at T-6 seconds.

[jonmikelk]

@RJY4356 really thanks (sorry 4 my bad english)

[RJY4356]

@jonmikelk Your English is actually very good !: )  Where are you from?

[jonmikelk]

@RJY4356 spain, and you?

[ananiasacts]

@jonmikelk, I'm guessing it's atmospheric water vapor condensing around the cold oxygen gas that 's being vented.

[ThisBoyTV]

Does the ice melt off as the Shuttle is beginning the launch?

[RJY4356]

@ThisBoyTV The ice doesn't form on the space shuttle orbiter itself. Any residual ice on the external tank bolts or on the launch platform usually shakes and rattles off when the main engines start 5-6 seconds before launch.

[ThisBoyTV]

@RJY4356

Thanks for the response .. very kind of you :)

[sledger25]

@ThisBoyTV it either melts as the sun hits the ice, or it breaks off due to the vibrations of launch... the ice they're particularly concerned about is on the external tank because of the supercold (cryogenic) propellants...

[crapper1]

wow all i can say is wow that thing is huge and its amazing that this can go in space and come back again

[caiocrz]

whats all that vapor?

[RJY4356]

@caiocrz The thicker vapors coming out of the main engines and the External tank is liquid oxygen which vents continuously until immediately prior to launch. You can also see at about 6:30-6:40 some liquid hydrogen venting fainlty and barely noticeably from the other set of bleed valves on the main engine nozzles.

[maksphoto78]

Not making video quality at least 480p makes kittens cry.

[KingGoddard]

@maksphoto78 haah kittens cry hahaha

[CROUTONZZ]

It was uploaded 34 minutes ago.