Questions about launch readiness, payload preparation, the weather forecast, etc., were answered by a panel of experts on a webcast on the NASA web site. And my question was chosen as one of the 3 "best questions" submitted.
My question was answered by Scott Higginbotham, International Space Station Payload Manager, during the Mission Webcast on July 10th 2005.
The question I submitted was:
Why will the Space Station's robotic arm move the Raffaello module this time instead of how it was done in previous flights where the Space Shuttle's robotic arm was used? Is this a mechanical issue or related to a safety issue?
From NASA - The Orbiter Boom Sensor System (upper right) is positioned to take a look at the underside of Discovery.
Scott Higginbotham's answer:
Well that's an excellent question, Chloe. You're right. On all previous missions, we used the Shuttle's arm to lift the MPLM that was flying and pick it up and attach it to the node of the Station. However, on this mission, we're flying the Orbiter Boom Sensor System for the first time. This boom sensor system is mounted on the orbiter payload bay on the opposite side from where the Shuttle arm is, and unfortunately it's in the way of the MPLM when it comes time remove it and put it back in place. So on flight day three just after we dock to the station, the crew's going to use the station arm to actually pick up the OBSS, hang it out in space, and hand it off to the Shuttle arm, which will then deploy it out away from the Station in the Shuttle. This will clear the way for the subsequent unberthing and docking of the MPLM from the Space Station. It also clears the way for the ESP-2 and the newer activity that is going to take place on the third EVA of the mission. Basically, with the OBSS being added to the flight, we needed to get it out of the way. And the way we're going to do it is do this hand off. And, so the Station's arm which is perfectly capable of doing the job, will lift the MPLM up and attach it to the Station and then put it back when we're done.
I'm always shocked when I win anything. Because I've probably only won something about 3 times in my life. I've certainly never been a "Grand Prize Winner", that's for sure!
Furthermore, I'm all whoo-hoo'd about the fact that the NASA International Space Station Payload Manager actually said my question was an "excellent" question!
The truth is, I had just been reading the articles about the mission on the site. And quite a few aspects of the mission are about safety. But then the article mentioned that in this mission, the Station's arm would be used instead of the Shuttle's arm, that was always used before. But then they just left that hangin' out there, danglin'. (I hate when articles do that.) So naturally I was curious. And just after reading that article, I noticed a link that was something like "submit your questions about the mission", so I submitted my question, not even thinking it would be answered on the site, let alone on the webcast... let alone that I would win a prize for it!
What's more is that the webcast was on a Sunday, so I didn't see it, because I live in dial-up internet land most of the time. And by the time I looked at the site again, I guess it wasn't mentioned on the front page anymore.
And then, apparently NASA had tried to contact me once to inform me... but I guess that e-mail was filtered out.
Yahoo!'s filters are not perfect - always check your bulk bin before emptying it!
Of course, in the past, I myself have occasionally almost deleted e-mails from NASA, thinking they were spam: Watermelon Punch, the Blog - 31 Jan 2003 | Almost mistaken for spam
So I didn't even find out that I'd won until a NASA's Public Affairs Web Writer, Cheryl, e-mailed me again, to ask for my mailing address, to which to send my prize.
So I haven't received it yet, but I believe it's an official STS-114 mission patch & pin.
Whoo-hoo.
My mother, Dolores, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. June 1999.
Yes, I've always been a bit of a NASA geek. When I lived in Wilkes-Barre years ago, we had a good cable company that provided the NASA TV channel. I watched kept it on often.
When I'd moved to Edwardsville, and the cable company didn't offer the NASA channel, I didn't bother to get cable tv, and haven't had it since.
My mother used to live not far from the Kennedy Space Center. I didn't take the photo of my mother in the space suit though, my step-father, Ed did. I was never there with my mother.
But I did visit the Kennedy Space Center once, when I visited them in Florida in 1997. But I went with Ed, because my mother was recovering from surgery at the time and couldn't go.
Actually, I was also recovering from surgery. But I absolutely insisted on going anyway, with my pillow and in a wheelchair, because I knew it might be my only chance to go there.
Now, for those of you in Northeastern Pennsylvania who have listened to the clip of Scott Higginbotham answering my question on the webcast...
Is it just me, or does the host, Stephanie Stilson, say "Scranton" like a native Scrantonian?
Hey Congrats again! That's awesome.
Maybe you can auction the patch and pin on ebay! Or is that like an almost sacriligious thing to say?
Posted by Alison | Saturday 30 July 2005 6:41AM
You ROCK Chloe... that's awesome... I am a NASA geek too!! ha ha
WOW, we do have something in common... ha ha ha ha (that was a joke--we do have a lot in common!!)
Posted by Kristen | Saturday 30 July 2005 10:38AM
yeah, so? a lousy patch and pin? they should've given you a seat on the next mission!!! "Chloe to the MOOOOON!" And you won't even have to fly Bub's Concession Stand....
Posted by John D. | Saturday 30 July 2005 1:33PM
It really doesn't surprise me Chloe. Nothing you do surprises me because you are an amazing woman. You have more talent than anyone I know in this area. You give true meaning to the word "eclectic." It has always been a pleasure knowing you. I am so happy for you!! xoxoxo
Posted by geri | Saturday 30 July 2005 7:04PM
"CONGRATULATIONS! Thinking women applaud you!"
Posted by Cheri | Sunday 31 July 2005 5:38PM
Way to go Chloe! That is so cool.
Posted by Carol R. | Monday 01 August 2005 11:11AM
Cool beanss - LOL - I can't believe I just typed that.
Posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 03 August 2005 9:36PM
Hey way to go! Be sure to post a pic of your winning patch and pin when you get it (if you remember to, send me the link to that page). You are "the man" (can I say that??).
Posted by Georjean | Thursday 04 August 2005 1:01PM
You can spot the 8x10 photo of the crew that I framed in this photo of my computer area in the nook: Watermelon Punch - Photo Album - 24 Oct 2005 - Desk area in the nook
I also received an official pin, a patch, and a poster (which I put in a frame and hung up in my bedroom).
Posted by Chloe | Wednesday 02 November 2005 8:20AM
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superficiality >>If the facade is what's important to you, all you wind up with is an illusion. Disillusionment is the gift of substance.
-- Chloe<<
(more)
Hey Congrats again! That's awesome.
Maybe you can auction the patch and pin on ebay! Or is that like an almost sacriligious thing to say?
You ROCK Chloe... that's awesome... I am a NASA geek too!! ha ha
WOW, we do have something in common... ha ha ha ha (that was a joke--we do have a lot in common!!)
yeah, so? a lousy patch and pin? they should've given you a seat on the next mission!!! "Chloe to the MOOOOON!" And you won't even have to fly Bub's Concession Stand....
It really doesn't surprise me Chloe. Nothing you do surprises me because you are an amazing woman. You have more talent than anyone I know in this area. You give true meaning to the word "eclectic." It has always been a pleasure knowing you. I am so happy for you!! xoxoxo
"CONGRATULATIONS! Thinking women applaud you!"
Way to go Chloe! That is so cool.
Cool beanss - LOL - I can't believe I just typed that.
Hey way to go! Be sure to post a pic of your winning patch and pin when you get it (if you remember to, send me the link to that page). You are "the man" (can I say that??).
You can spot the 8x10 photo of the crew that I framed in this photo of my computer area in the nook:
