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

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the Final Inspection Team, also known as the "Ice Team," performs a walkdown of Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A during space shuttle Atlantis' STS-132 launch countdown on May 14. The six-member team walks on every level of the pad's fixed service structure, inspecting the shuttle, external fuel tank, solid rocket boosters, pad structure and ground equipment for signs of ice buildup, debris or anything else that might be amiss prior to launch. As part of the inspection, photos are taken and transmitted to the launch team for review.
A videographer for NASA was included as a member of the team to capture the first-ever up close, high-definition video of this important and hazardous inspection process.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

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

[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.

[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.

[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 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]

@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.

[csapilot1]

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

[HNDNV07]

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

[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。