1 00:00:14,240 --> 00:01:17,830 targets 2 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:32,149 so 3 00:01:32,159 --> 00:01:40,789 thank you 4 00:01:44,789 --> 00:01:42,469 all right good afternoon 5 00:01:46,950 --> 00:01:44,799 as you all saw the team has just wrapped 6 00:01:49,270 --> 00:01:46,960 up the final suited 7 00:01:51,109 --> 00:01:49,280 integrated ascent simulation 8 00:01:52,469 --> 00:01:51,119 joining me to my left is richard jones 9 00:01:54,870 --> 00:01:52,479 who is the asset flight director for 10 00:01:56,389 --> 00:01:54,880 this sts-135 mission we'll turn it over 11 00:01:58,069 --> 00:01:56,399 to him to make some remarks then turn it 12 00:02:01,429 --> 00:01:58,079 over to commander chris ferguson and 13 00:02:03,830 --> 00:02:01,439 then we'll take questions richard 14 00:02:06,069 --> 00:02:03,840 okay thanks uh uh first of all i want to 15 00:02:08,710 --> 00:02:06,079 thank everyone for coming out um 16 00:02:10,949 --> 00:02:08,720 you're standing in this wonderful room 17 00:02:12,550 --> 00:02:10,959 the mission control center and the white 18 00:02:13,670 --> 00:02:12,560 flight control room or the white figure 19 00:02:17,270 --> 00:02:13,680 as we know it 20 00:02:19,830 --> 00:02:17,280 um you got to observe the the teamwork 21 00:02:23,110 --> 00:02:19,840 uh the absolute cohesiveness that 22 00:02:25,589 --> 00:02:23,120 what it takes to to get something uh 23 00:02:27,990 --> 00:02:25,599 like this done and uh what we're doing 24 00:02:29,110 --> 00:02:28,000 is we're building teamwork with uh with 25 00:02:31,430 --> 00:02:29,120 not only 26 00:02:33,190 --> 00:02:31,440 our crew me our our team members within 27 00:02:35,350 --> 00:02:33,200 this room but we're building that that 28 00:02:36,390 --> 00:02:35,360 cohesiveness cohesiveness with the crew 29 00:02:39,270 --> 00:02:36,400 as well 30 00:02:41,990 --> 00:02:39,280 um and today was very typical of of an 31 00:02:43,750 --> 00:02:42,000 asset simulation a lot of failures uh 32 00:02:46,150 --> 00:02:43,760 but at the same time we're exercising 33 00:02:48,390 --> 00:02:46,160 everything that that we need to do to to 34 00:02:50,790 --> 00:02:48,400 get ready for a flight very happy with 35 00:02:51,910 --> 00:02:50,800 the with the actual simulation and uh 36 00:02:53,589 --> 00:02:51,920 i'm just 37 00:02:55,350 --> 00:02:53,599 glad to be a part of this team so i'm 38 00:02:58,070 --> 00:02:55,360 going to hand this over to uh to chris 39 00:02:59,990 --> 00:02:58,080 ferguson or fergie and let him introduce 40 00:03:01,670 --> 00:03:00,000 his crew thanks 41 00:03:03,509 --> 00:03:01,680 thanks richard and thank you everybody 42 00:03:06,149 --> 00:03:03,519 for coming out today uh hopefully you 43 00:03:07,589 --> 00:03:06,159 got a small snapshot of 44 00:03:09,430 --> 00:03:07,599 what a crew goes through and what the 45 00:03:10,630 --> 00:03:09,440 mission control team goes through as we 46 00:03:11,910 --> 00:03:10,640 approach launch 47 00:03:13,830 --> 00:03:11,920 you know richard's being a little bit 48 00:03:15,350 --> 00:03:13,840 humble these folks in this room are the 49 00:03:17,110 --> 00:03:15,360 best of the best there is no one else in 50 00:03:18,949 --> 00:03:17,120 the world who can do the job that they 51 00:03:21,750 --> 00:03:18,959 do just the way they do and i think you 52 00:03:23,830 --> 00:03:21,760 had a little taste today for just how 53 00:03:25,830 --> 00:03:23,840 much they helped the crew get through a 54 00:03:27,670 --> 00:03:25,840 lot of the things that the crew the crew 55 00:03:30,149 --> 00:03:27,680 simply could not get through on their 56 00:03:32,550 --> 00:03:30,159 own each one of these subject matter 57 00:03:34,070 --> 00:03:32,560 experts are experts in their field they 58 00:03:35,670 --> 00:03:34,080 know all the answers and i'll tell you 59 00:03:37,750 --> 00:03:35,680 what when they're helping us and they're 60 00:03:40,070 --> 00:03:37,760 on their game we really 61 00:03:41,670 --> 00:03:40,080 our lives are literally in their hands 62 00:03:43,750 --> 00:03:41,680 you know we can handle a failure too 63 00:03:45,190 --> 00:03:43,760 perhaps a layer too deep but once it 64 00:03:47,190 --> 00:03:45,200 gets a little more complicated than that 65 00:03:48,869 --> 00:03:47,200 we count on these guys to get us through 66 00:03:51,589 --> 00:03:48,879 and i think today with some of the 67 00:03:53,830 --> 00:03:51,599 complex scenarios that you've seen uh it 68 00:03:55,429 --> 00:03:53,840 bore that out to be absolutely true we 69 00:03:58,390 --> 00:03:55,439 really need their help and they have 70 00:04:00,229 --> 00:03:58,400 just done a fantastic job 71 00:04:01,589 --> 00:04:00,239 this whole evolution was designed to 72 00:04:03,429 --> 00:04:01,599 really showcase the mission control 73 00:04:06,149 --> 00:04:03,439 center so i want to keep this real short 74 00:04:08,149 --> 00:04:06,159 just very quickly uh to my left is the 75 00:04:09,990 --> 00:04:08,159 pilot doug hurley uh doug hurley is a 76 00:04:13,110 --> 00:04:10,000 colonel in the marine corps uh he's a 77 00:04:16,550 --> 00:04:13,120 veteran of a single space flight sts 129 78 00:04:19,830 --> 00:04:16,560 and to doug's left is sandy magnus sandy 79 00:04:21,189 --> 00:04:19,840 magnus a veteran of uh singles well 80 00:04:22,469 --> 00:04:21,199 several space flights depending on how 81 00:04:24,870 --> 00:04:22,479 you count them but 82 00:04:26,550 --> 00:04:24,880 she flew a shuttle flight sts-112 and 83 00:04:28,350 --> 00:04:26,560 then did a four and a half months 84 00:04:30,629 --> 00:04:28,360 station increment she went up with me on 85 00:04:32,310 --> 00:04:30,639 sts-126 and came back i believe on 86 00:04:33,590 --> 00:04:32,320 sts-119 87 00:04:35,510 --> 00:04:33,600 don't try to figure the numbers out they 88 00:04:38,310 --> 00:04:35,520 don't make sense uh 89 00:04:40,870 --> 00:04:38,320 and to her left is uh is rex walheim uh 90 00:04:42,710 --> 00:04:40,880 rex this will be rex's third third space 91 00:04:43,909 --> 00:04:42,720 flight he's a retired air force colonel 92 00:04:46,870 --> 00:04:43,919 he uh 93 00:04:48,550 --> 00:04:46,880 flew on sts-110 122 and this will be his 94 00:04:50,710 --> 00:04:48,560 uh third flight so 95 00:04:52,230 --> 00:04:50,720 again uh this this whole evolution is 96 00:04:53,430 --> 00:04:52,240 more about the mission control center so 97 00:04:54,390 --> 00:04:53,440 i'll go ahead and knock it off there i 98 00:05:06,550 --> 00:04:54,400 think we're going to open it up for 99 00:05:12,230 --> 00:05:09,270 my name is kevin fong with the bbc 100 00:05:15,430 --> 00:05:12,240 i guess is for everyone but um 101 00:05:16,950 --> 00:05:15,440 we're 22 odd days before launch now at 102 00:05:18,950 --> 00:05:16,960 what point 103 00:05:24,390 --> 00:05:18,960 do you really believe this is it and 104 00:05:30,710 --> 00:05:27,029 chris was nice fergie was nice enough to 105 00:05:32,469 --> 00:05:30,720 make me answer this one i i i fully uh i 106 00:05:33,430 --> 00:05:32,479 fully turned my attention to it's time 107 00:05:34,230 --> 00:05:33,440 to go 108 00:05:36,550 --> 00:05:34,240 uh 109 00:05:39,510 --> 00:05:36,560 once we're inside of t minus nine and as 110 00:05:41,590 --> 00:05:39,520 on 133 sometimes it's not almost there 111 00:05:43,909 --> 00:05:41,600 as as well but um 112 00:05:46,230 --> 00:05:43,919 yeah inside of t minus nine minutes and 113 00:05:47,670 --> 00:05:46,240 and everyone is saying go for launch 114 00:05:50,469 --> 00:05:47,680 that's kind of when i when i turn my 115 00:05:52,950 --> 00:05:50,479 attention to okay here we go but uh 116 00:05:55,270 --> 00:05:52,960 really it's it's that mission doesn't 117 00:05:56,710 --> 00:05:55,280 start until those srbs light so you 118 00:05:57,749 --> 00:05:56,720 never know what will happen uh in 119 00:06:00,070 --> 00:05:57,759 between 120 00:06:02,150 --> 00:06:00,080 go for launch and and srb's life so 121 00:06:04,469 --> 00:06:02,160 we're ready to handle it 122 00:06:06,710 --> 00:06:04,479 ryan coursgard from kprc-tv here in 123 00:06:08,390 --> 00:06:06,720 houston what are your reflections as we 124 00:06:10,550 --> 00:06:08,400 end and we visited about this a moment 125 00:06:12,550 --> 00:06:10,560 ago as we end the shuttle program as as 126 00:06:15,749 --> 00:06:12,560 we tick down these final days you 127 00:06:18,390 --> 00:06:15,759 prepare for this last launch each of you 128 00:06:20,550 --> 00:06:18,400 well um you know the the task at hand 129 00:06:22,550 --> 00:06:20,560 right now is to make sure that we're 130 00:06:24,550 --> 00:06:22,560 clicking along as a team 131 00:06:26,230 --> 00:06:24,560 and doing all the right things at the 132 00:06:28,550 --> 00:06:26,240 right time without 133 00:06:30,309 --> 00:06:28,560 stepping on each other and so those are 134 00:06:32,710 --> 00:06:30,319 all my thoughts some of my thoughts 135 00:06:34,710 --> 00:06:32,720 returned to the vehicle itself 136 00:06:36,469 --> 00:06:34,720 we just went through a tanking test over 137 00:06:39,189 --> 00:06:36,479 at kennedy space center so our kennedy 138 00:06:40,950 --> 00:06:39,199 space center uh counterparts are working 139 00:06:43,110 --> 00:06:40,960 to make sure that the the vehicle is 140 00:06:44,469 --> 00:06:43,120 ready to go and so what we're paying 141 00:06:47,189 --> 00:06:44,479 attention to all of that getting ready 142 00:06:49,510 --> 00:06:47,199 for launch so we're we're worrying about 143 00:06:51,110 --> 00:06:49,520 every single aspect of the mission 144 00:06:52,710 --> 00:06:51,120 of making sure that we're prepared to 145 00:06:58,309 --> 00:06:52,720 handle not only the nominal but the 146 00:07:01,670 --> 00:07:00,390 commander ferguson pat patton getting 147 00:07:04,469 --> 00:07:01,680 you service 148 00:07:06,950 --> 00:07:04,479 and i wanted to ask you how you feel 149 00:07:08,710 --> 00:07:06,960 about being the commander for nasa's 150 00:07:11,670 --> 00:07:08,720 last space mission 151 00:07:13,430 --> 00:07:11,680 well i i feel extremely fortunate i 152 00:07:14,550 --> 00:07:13,440 think probably the word however is more 153 00:07:15,909 --> 00:07:14,560 lucky 154 00:07:17,350 --> 00:07:15,919 any one of a number of people in our 155 00:07:18,230 --> 00:07:17,360 office could have taken this position 156 00:07:19,110 --> 00:07:18,240 and 157 00:07:21,029 --> 00:07:19,120 uh 158 00:07:22,230 --> 00:07:21,039 you know being the commander is is it's 159 00:07:24,230 --> 00:07:22,240 interesting and title but you know we 160 00:07:25,749 --> 00:07:24,240 have a fantastic crew 161 00:07:28,230 --> 00:07:25,759 not only on board but we have an 162 00:07:30,230 --> 00:07:28,240 outstanding uh team who support us on 163 00:07:32,070 --> 00:07:30,240 the ground and make this all happen so 164 00:07:33,430 --> 00:07:32,080 like i said commander's a title but 165 00:07:35,270 --> 00:07:33,440 we're literally standing on the 166 00:07:38,150 --> 00:07:35,280 shoulders of some incredible people who 167 00:07:39,670 --> 00:07:38,160 make this entire program happy um 168 00:07:41,510 --> 00:07:39,680 you know and we've had several last 169 00:07:42,629 --> 00:07:41,520 missions we really have at one time or 170 00:07:43,830 --> 00:07:42,639 another i think 171 00:07:45,909 --> 00:07:43,840 three different flights were the last 172 00:07:47,430 --> 00:07:45,919 mission uh and this is just the way this 173 00:07:48,869 --> 00:07:47,440 this whole thing has worked out i guess 174 00:07:50,710 --> 00:07:48,879 as you know when the dice all fell and 175 00:07:52,950 --> 00:07:50,720 numbers came up you know we ended up 176 00:07:54,150 --> 00:07:52,960 actually going last but uh uh you know 177 00:07:56,390 --> 00:07:54,160 we're approaching this mission with the 178 00:07:58,309 --> 00:07:56,400 tenacity of of all the missions that 179 00:08:00,230 --> 00:07:58,319 preceded it we have a very busy job to 180 00:08:02,710 --> 00:08:00,240 do and i think only after the the final 181 00:08:04,629 --> 00:08:02,720 wheel stop call uh will we really uh you 182 00:08:06,790 --> 00:08:04,639 know the finality of 183 00:08:09,350 --> 00:08:06,800 of you know the historic events that 184 00:08:10,950 --> 00:08:09,360 have gone by uh will begin to hit us so 185 00:08:13,029 --> 00:08:10,960 but until then we're most of the 186 00:08:14,550 --> 00:08:13,039 grindstone we're very busy 187 00:08:16,550 --> 00:08:14,560 sure 188 00:08:18,710 --> 00:08:16,560 hi robert perlman with collectspace.com 189 00:08:21,029 --> 00:08:18,720 with a question for each of the crew um 190 00:08:22,629 --> 00:08:21,039 you know commander ferguson you just met 191 00:08:24,629 --> 00:08:22,639 you just talked about the many different 192 00:08:26,790 --> 00:08:24,639 finals that there are um but this was 193 00:08:28,230 --> 00:08:26,800 your last suited run and there have been 194 00:08:30,070 --> 00:08:28,240 a lot of laughs in fact just about 195 00:08:32,630 --> 00:08:30,080 everything you're doing is a last 196 00:08:34,949 --> 00:08:32,640 have there been more poignant lasts 197 00:08:36,070 --> 00:08:34,959 among what you've accomplished so far 198 00:08:40,709 --> 00:08:36,080 and uh 199 00:08:42,550 --> 00:08:40,719 and what has meant the most to you 200 00:08:43,990 --> 00:08:42,560 yeah we i mean we've it seems like 201 00:08:45,829 --> 00:08:44,000 almost every day now that's what we're 202 00:08:48,150 --> 00:08:45,839 what we're seeing we just did the last 203 00:08:49,829 --> 00:08:48,160 uh probably the last sta out of el paso 204 00:08:50,870 --> 00:08:49,839 and just see the folks that we used to 205 00:08:51,750 --> 00:08:50,880 see 206 00:08:54,070 --> 00:08:51,760 almost 207 00:08:55,269 --> 00:08:54,080 every couple weeks you know just you 208 00:08:57,590 --> 00:08:55,279 know and the way they maintain the 209 00:08:59,350 --> 00:08:57,600 runways out there and just all the the 210 00:09:01,030 --> 00:08:59,360 great memories we've had you know we've 211 00:09:02,630 --> 00:09:01,040 been flying out to el paso since you 212 00:09:04,790 --> 00:09:02,640 know right when you start and then you 213 00:09:06,550 --> 00:09:04,800 know as we see people leaving to go do 214 00:09:08,310 --> 00:09:06,560 other things it's it's been tough you 215 00:09:10,150 --> 00:09:08,320 know but uh you know we're gonna do the 216 00:09:12,070 --> 00:09:10,160 best we can to honor them and and have a 217 00:09:14,310 --> 00:09:12,080 great mission and uh we look forward to 218 00:09:17,110 --> 00:09:14,320 seeing them when we get back 219 00:09:22,389 --> 00:09:20,389 oh thanks mark caro for aviation week um 220 00:09:24,470 --> 00:09:22,399 after you get on orbit what's the pace 221 00:09:26,470 --> 00:09:24,480 of your activity is going to be like uh 222 00:09:28,150 --> 00:09:26,480 you've got 12 days 223 00:09:30,230 --> 00:09:28,160 going into this for the whole mission 224 00:09:33,509 --> 00:09:30,240 duration can you extend anything on 225 00:09:35,110 --> 00:09:33,519 orbit is it going to be pretty frantic 226 00:09:36,470 --> 00:09:35,120 what are you guys going in trying to do 227 00:09:38,389 --> 00:09:36,480 to make sure you have enough time to get 228 00:09:40,790 --> 00:09:38,399 everything done yeah mark i'd have to 229 00:09:41,910 --> 00:09:40,800 say with the crew of four and that is um 230 00:09:43,509 --> 00:09:41,920 you know probably the one thing that 231 00:09:45,750 --> 00:09:43,519 concerns me the most but i think the the 232 00:09:47,350 --> 00:09:45,760 person who is most uh 233 00:09:49,030 --> 00:09:47,360 highly qualified to answer that is going 234 00:09:50,470 --> 00:09:49,040 to be sandy because she is going to be 235 00:09:52,389 --> 00:09:50,480 the frantic one on the mid deck so i'm 236 00:09:54,150 --> 00:09:52,399 going to turn it over to her 237 00:09:55,350 --> 00:09:54,160 yeah basically i am the mid deck you 238 00:09:57,030 --> 00:09:55,360 know we normally have two or three 239 00:09:58,790 --> 00:09:57,040 people down there and doug and rex come 240 00:10:00,870 --> 00:09:58,800 down and help me occasionally but you 241 00:10:02,470 --> 00:10:00,880 know usually with any mission that the 242 00:10:03,990 --> 00:10:02,480 tone of the mission starts with post 243 00:10:06,069 --> 00:10:04,000 insertion and how well you can get 244 00:10:08,470 --> 00:10:06,079 yourself organized once you get to orbit 245 00:10:09,430 --> 00:10:08,480 and start in that groove and i think you 246 00:10:11,269 --> 00:10:09,440 know we are a little bit of a 247 00:10:12,949 --> 00:10:11,279 disadvantage because we're a four person 248 00:10:15,110 --> 00:10:12,959 crew but that also means we have less 249 00:10:17,750 --> 00:10:15,120 stuff to deal with we have 250 00:10:19,509 --> 00:10:17,760 three less suits three less seats 251 00:10:21,910 --> 00:10:19,519 and things like that so i think we'll be 252 00:10:24,230 --> 00:10:21,920 okay it's going to be very busy 253 00:10:27,190 --> 00:10:24,240 we have practiced that day 254 00:10:28,949 --> 00:10:27,200 very often so we have a good uh plan for 255 00:10:30,870 --> 00:10:28,959 it and i think we'll be able to hit the 256 00:10:34,870 --> 00:10:30,880 ground running and settle into our group 257 00:10:40,069 --> 00:10:35,829 flame 258 00:10:40,079 --> 00:10:42,949 consideration 259 00:10:42,959 --> 00:11:04,069 uh 260 00:11:09,110 --> 00:11:06,870 okay i translate a little bit so she 261 00:11:12,470 --> 00:11:09,120 wants to know how do you feel to be the 262 00:11:13,350 --> 00:11:12,480 last crew going in space uh 263 00:11:16,550 --> 00:11:13,360 in a 264 00:11:19,590 --> 00:11:16,560 american program proud lucky how do you 265 00:11:21,509 --> 00:11:19,600 really feel and she's a woman so what 266 00:11:23,509 --> 00:11:21,519 are you going to sh it's a question of a 267 00:11:25,750 --> 00:11:23,519 woman what are you going to say to your 268 00:11:29,190 --> 00:11:25,760 children if you have and to your husband 269 00:11:31,190 --> 00:11:29,200 if you have uh to them before flying and 270 00:11:32,310 --> 00:11:31,200 as we are known in france as french 271 00:11:34,150 --> 00:11:32,320 lovers 272 00:11:38,389 --> 00:11:34,160 she wants to know 273 00:11:39,829 --> 00:11:38,399 what about the love thing in space 274 00:11:41,590 --> 00:11:39,839 well we certainly don't have time for 275 00:11:43,590 --> 00:11:41,600 anything like that nor the inclination 276 00:11:45,750 --> 00:11:43,600 but let me let me let rex address the 277 00:11:48,310 --> 00:11:45,760 rest of the question as far as the 278 00:11:49,829 --> 00:11:48,320 last flight well it is as as our 279 00:11:51,430 --> 00:11:49,839 commander said it's a great honor to be 280 00:11:53,269 --> 00:11:51,440 on this last flight it's one of those 281 00:11:54,710 --> 00:11:53,279 things where we kind of knew we were 282 00:11:55,990 --> 00:11:54,720 getting close to being assigned but 283 00:11:57,350 --> 00:11:56,000 didn't know whether we would get there 284 00:11:58,870 --> 00:11:57,360 before the line closed down and so we 285 00:12:01,110 --> 00:11:58,880 were really excited when it so happened 286 00:12:02,629 --> 00:12:01,120 that we got to fly on this flight 287 00:12:05,190 --> 00:12:02,639 my kids have been involved we kind of 288 00:12:06,629 --> 00:12:05,200 have a tradition in my family we we go 289 00:12:07,430 --> 00:12:06,639 over to space center houston and watch 290 00:12:10,949 --> 00:12:07,440 the 291 00:12:12,150 --> 00:12:10,959 next mission when it's my mission as we 292 00:12:13,670 --> 00:12:12,160 kind of sit in the audience and watch as 293 00:12:14,949 --> 00:12:13,680 they explain about the mission and stuff 294 00:12:16,470 --> 00:12:14,959 that's kind of fun 295 00:12:17,350 --> 00:12:16,480 and then they once during the training 296 00:12:19,430 --> 00:12:17,360 flow they come over to the neutral 297 00:12:20,710 --> 00:12:19,440 buoyancy lab and watch us in the pool as 298 00:12:22,550 --> 00:12:20,720 they've been following along my boys are 299 00:12:24,629 --> 00:12:22,560 13 and 14 and this fellow they'll really 300 00:12:27,350 --> 00:12:24,639 enjoy it a lot more than than the others 301 00:12:28,710 --> 00:12:27,360 but it is harder on on the families it's 302 00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:28,720 it's it's one thing for us to have a 303 00:12:32,150 --> 00:12:30,160 little bit of sense of control when 304 00:12:33,829 --> 00:12:32,160 we're out in a vehicle and getting ready 305 00:12:35,110 --> 00:12:33,839 to fly and they just have to watch and 306 00:12:36,150 --> 00:12:35,120 even when we're out there watching our 307 00:12:37,910 --> 00:12:36,160 friends on missions that we're not 308 00:12:39,110 --> 00:12:37,920 assigned to it's tough to sit there and 309 00:12:40,949 --> 00:12:39,120 not be able to do anything and watch 310 00:12:46,470 --> 00:12:40,959 people fly so the families really have 311 00:12:50,389 --> 00:12:48,389 jackie goddard for the sunday telegraph 312 00:12:53,829 --> 00:12:50,399 newspaper of london thank you for having 313 00:12:56,870 --> 00:12:53,839 us along today i wanted to ask um any or 314 00:12:59,269 --> 00:12:56,880 all of you um how do you balance that 315 00:13:01,509 --> 00:12:59,279 sense of making this a celebration of 30 316 00:13:02,949 --> 00:13:01,519 years of the space shuttle against also 317 00:13:05,350 --> 00:13:02,959 that sense that some people have 318 00:13:07,590 --> 00:13:05,360 expressed some good long in the tooth 319 00:13:09,190 --> 00:13:07,600 nasa veterans that this feels more like 320 00:13:10,550 --> 00:13:09,200 a funeral because it's the last one how 321 00:13:12,389 --> 00:13:10,560 do you get that balance and how will you 322 00:13:13,829 --> 00:13:12,399 be feeling uh that's a great question 323 00:13:15,430 --> 00:13:13,839 and i'm gonna i'm gonna turn to richard 324 00:13:17,910 --> 00:13:15,440 in just a second but because i think 325 00:13:19,509 --> 00:13:17,920 it's largely uh his group of folks who's 326 00:13:20,790 --> 00:13:19,519 uh who are gonna be the most affected at 327 00:13:21,990 --> 00:13:20,800 least in the near term when the 328 00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:22,000 mission's over 329 00:13:27,350 --> 00:13:24,480 um you know this this whole uh drawdown 330 00:13:28,949 --> 00:13:27,360 of nasa's uh contractor workforce has 331 00:13:30,870 --> 00:13:28,959 been it's been a force to be reckoned 332 00:13:32,550 --> 00:13:30,880 with throughout the training flow uh we 333 00:13:34,389 --> 00:13:32,560 have made ample trips to the kennedy 334 00:13:36,310 --> 00:13:34,399 space center to make sure that we get as 335 00:13:38,550 --> 00:13:36,320 much one-on-one contact with the 336 00:13:40,870 --> 00:13:38,560 individuals who are touching the vehicle 337 00:13:43,430 --> 00:13:40,880 who work on the space hardware because 338 00:13:45,430 --> 00:13:43,440 it's an it's uh it's it's a pivotal time 339 00:13:47,990 --> 00:13:45,440 for them in their lives they want to see 340 00:13:50,710 --> 00:13:48,000 the shuttle program through as safely uh 341 00:13:52,949 --> 00:13:50,720 and as successfully as the 342 00:13:54,790 --> 00:13:52,959 missions that preceded it but at the 343 00:13:56,069 --> 00:13:54,800 same time they have other factors on 344 00:13:58,389 --> 00:13:56,079 their mind as well like what are they 345 00:14:00,550 --> 00:13:58,399 gonna do uh when this is all over so we 346 00:14:01,990 --> 00:14:00,560 have made many trips back and forth and 347 00:14:03,910 --> 00:14:02,000 i'll tell you i think i speak for 348 00:14:05,430 --> 00:14:03,920 everybody when i say that uh you know 349 00:14:07,910 --> 00:14:05,440 this workforce is has been 350 00:14:10,230 --> 00:14:07,920 extraordinarily professional uh up until 351 00:14:12,230 --> 00:14:10,240 the very very end and i am i'm 352 00:14:13,350 --> 00:14:12,240 enormously proud of every single one of 353 00:14:14,870 --> 00:14:13,360 the folks who touched the vehicle out 354 00:14:15,829 --> 00:14:14,880 there at the kennedy space center i 355 00:14:17,509 --> 00:14:15,839 don't know if you paid attention a 356 00:14:18,949 --> 00:14:17,519 little bit we had a kind of a major 357 00:14:20,870 --> 00:14:18,959 milestone yesterday we filled the 358 00:14:22,629 --> 00:14:20,880 external tank with hydrogen 359 00:14:25,030 --> 00:14:22,639 and oxygen and we just waited to see 360 00:14:27,350 --> 00:14:25,040 what happened and uh you know we found a 361 00:14:28,870 --> 00:14:27,360 little bit of leak a leak in one area 362 00:14:30,069 --> 00:14:28,880 and we're going to go back and fix that 363 00:14:31,590 --> 00:14:30,079 in the course of the normal flow 364 00:14:33,509 --> 00:14:31,600 hopefully it will preserve our current 365 00:14:35,509 --> 00:14:33,519 launch date so living proof that we have 366 00:14:37,030 --> 00:14:35,519 the same number of uh you know the same 367 00:14:37,829 --> 00:14:37,040 capabilities we've always had and i'm 368 00:14:40,150 --> 00:14:37,839 going to turn it over to richard because 369 00:14:42,150 --> 00:14:40,160 he's going to lose a few folks here too 370 00:14:44,550 --> 00:14:42,160 i'll just uh amplify what fergie just 371 00:14:46,949 --> 00:14:44,560 said right now just just a little bit 372 00:14:48,470 --> 00:14:46,959 the professionalism that i have observed 373 00:14:49,509 --> 00:14:48,480 in all of the folks that are here in 374 00:14:53,509 --> 00:14:49,519 this room 375 00:14:56,550 --> 00:14:53,519 different centers that uh that are 376 00:14:59,350 --> 00:14:56,560 involved in this program uh it's almost 377 00:15:01,590 --> 00:14:59,360 unbelievable and you know with so much 378 00:15:03,430 --> 00:15:01,600 weighing on on these folks minds with 379 00:15:04,550 --> 00:15:03,440 respect to this transition what is next 380 00:15:05,829 --> 00:15:04,560 for them 381 00:15:11,110 --> 00:15:05,839 this 382 00:15:15,110 --> 00:15:11,120 their job is the most important thing to 383 00:15:17,829 --> 00:15:15,120 them uh at this moment and to make to 384 00:15:21,590 --> 00:15:17,839 have that actually be the case 385 00:15:23,430 --> 00:15:21,600 it's uh it's just part of 386 00:15:25,350 --> 00:15:23,440 it's what makes this this program 387 00:15:27,189 --> 00:15:25,360 special because the people that are 388 00:15:28,790 --> 00:15:27,199 working these jobs 389 00:15:30,629 --> 00:15:28,800 want that to be the first thing that 390 00:15:31,829 --> 00:15:30,639 they're they're thinking about want it 391 00:15:34,389 --> 00:15:31,839 to be the first thing that they're 392 00:15:35,910 --> 00:15:34,399 accomplishing that day want it to be 393 00:15:37,910 --> 00:15:35,920 uh the most special thing that they can 394 00:15:39,430 --> 00:15:37,920 be and make it the most safest 395 00:15:41,590 --> 00:15:39,440 most successful mission that they can be 396 00:15:43,430 --> 00:15:41,600 and it's uh 397 00:15:44,790 --> 00:15:43,440 i'm amazed when i see that but at the 398 00:15:46,790 --> 00:15:44,800 same time 399 00:15:49,110 --> 00:15:46,800 it doesn't surprise me because when in 400 00:15:50,710 --> 00:15:49,120 this community we're all family and 401 00:15:52,069 --> 00:15:50,720 we're all going through the same thing 402 00:15:53,350 --> 00:15:52,079 and 403 00:16:02,230 --> 00:15:53,360 it 404 00:16:05,110 --> 00:16:02,240 nasaspaceflight.com um 405 00:16:07,350 --> 00:16:05,120 for the commander um on that last run 406 00:16:09,189 --> 00:16:07,360 with the systems aoa it sounded like 407 00:16:11,670 --> 00:16:09,199 just listening to the flight control 408 00:16:13,350 --> 00:16:11,680 team here that they were really busy and 409 00:16:14,710 --> 00:16:13,360 it sounded like uh the four of you are 410 00:16:17,110 --> 00:16:14,720 really busy 411 00:16:19,110 --> 00:16:17,120 and i know uh in the past you've sat in 412 00:16:21,110 --> 00:16:19,120 the capcom seat in this room 413 00:16:22,870 --> 00:16:21,120 who would you say has the the harder job 414 00:16:24,870 --> 00:16:22,880 in that situation the folks in this room 415 00:16:27,189 --> 00:16:24,880 or the folks on the flight deck i have 416 00:16:29,269 --> 00:16:27,199 an opinion on that 417 00:16:30,230 --> 00:16:29,279 i'll tell you um 418 00:16:32,069 --> 00:16:30,240 and 419 00:16:35,269 --> 00:16:32,079 i'll talk about the systems aoa that we 420 00:16:37,829 --> 00:16:35,279 did this morning in just a second but 421 00:16:40,230 --> 00:16:37,839 after working we have a big simulation 422 00:16:42,550 --> 00:16:40,240 coming up a week actually monday a fido 423 00:16:44,949 --> 00:16:42,560 booster which is a it's it's rather 424 00:16:45,910 --> 00:16:44,959 intense it involves a lot of very unique 425 00:16:47,829 --> 00:16:45,920 uh 426 00:16:50,310 --> 00:16:47,839 launch abort scenarios 427 00:16:52,470 --> 00:16:50,320 and i had been through it a couple times 428 00:16:54,550 --> 00:16:52,480 over in the box and then when i started 429 00:16:57,110 --> 00:16:54,560 working as a capcom i'd been over uh 430 00:16:58,949 --> 00:16:57,120 working through it here and i remember 431 00:17:00,470 --> 00:16:58,959 my exact feelings that when i finished 432 00:17:02,629 --> 00:17:00,480 that first one as a capcom i said that 433 00:17:04,710 --> 00:17:02,639 was 10 times harder than being over in 434 00:17:06,309 --> 00:17:04,720 the box and simply following the very 435 00:17:08,470 --> 00:17:06,319 explicit direction 436 00:17:10,230 --> 00:17:08,480 of you know of the capcom so uh 437 00:17:12,150 --> 00:17:10,240 coordinating it all 438 00:17:13,510 --> 00:17:12,160 and this is where we really uh hats off 439 00:17:15,510 --> 00:17:13,520 to the flight control team and what they 440 00:17:16,949 --> 00:17:15,520 do over here yeah when we get over there 441 00:17:19,429 --> 00:17:16,959 and some of those uh some of those sims 442 00:17:21,270 --> 00:17:19,439 it's it's uh it's a lot easier 443 00:17:23,189 --> 00:17:21,280 compliments of them 444 00:17:24,789 --> 00:17:23,199 um with regard to today's scenario that 445 00:17:25,750 --> 00:17:24,799 was a little different i wasn't 446 00:17:27,909 --> 00:17:25,760 expecting that but it was 447 00:17:29,669 --> 00:17:27,919 extraordinarily well scripted 448 00:17:31,190 --> 00:17:29,679 you know we had we had folks standing we 449 00:17:32,789 --> 00:17:31,200 had to bring the motion down and the 450 00:17:34,150 --> 00:17:32,799 simulator so we could get people out of 451 00:17:35,350 --> 00:17:34,160 their seats so they could start throwing 452 00:17:36,549 --> 00:17:35,360 all the switches that they needed to 453 00:17:38,310 --> 00:17:36,559 throw to do everything it was very 454 00:17:40,150 --> 00:17:38,320 unusual to run through a scenario like 455 00:17:42,150 --> 00:17:40,160 that uh but 456 00:17:44,150 --> 00:17:42,160 it's uh it's very important we practice 457 00:17:45,590 --> 00:17:44,160 we have a very small crew this time we 458 00:17:47,430 --> 00:17:45,600 don't have anyone in the mid deck so we 459 00:17:48,549 --> 00:17:47,440 uh i think it was it was a great script 460 00:17:50,630 --> 00:17:48,559 and gave us an opportunity and the 461 00:17:52,390 --> 00:17:50,640 mission control team an opportunity to 462 00:17:53,669 --> 00:17:52,400 see just what our capabilities are with 463 00:17:55,190 --> 00:17:53,679 regard to getting people out of their 464 00:17:57,110 --> 00:17:55,200 seats shortly after the main engines cut 465 00:17:58,710 --> 00:17:57,120 off and go through the multitude of 466 00:18:01,430 --> 00:17:58,720 switches that we had to throw today i 467 00:18:05,029 --> 00:18:01,440 think we had we left no switch unturned 468 00:18:09,909 --> 00:18:07,350 mark kramer from cbs news for chris or 469 00:18:11,270 --> 00:18:09,919 doug you've had a somewhat foreshortened 470 00:18:13,669 --> 00:18:11,280 preparation period for this mission 471 00:18:16,390 --> 00:18:13,679 compared to what you'd normally have 472 00:18:18,310 --> 00:18:16,400 how have the number of simulations for 473 00:18:20,070 --> 00:18:18,320 this compared with what you'd usually 474 00:18:22,070 --> 00:18:20,080 expect and how did you jam all the 475 00:18:24,950 --> 00:18:22,080 preparation into that shorter period of 476 00:18:26,870 --> 00:18:24,960 time and a follow-up on that is every 477 00:18:29,270 --> 00:18:26,880 failure that you see in a simulation 478 00:18:31,190 --> 00:18:29,280 unique do you have a favorite are some 479 00:18:33,590 --> 00:18:31,200 repeated because 480 00:18:35,270 --> 00:18:33,600 because they're more likely 481 00:18:37,190 --> 00:18:35,280 yeah let me let me see if i can remember 482 00:18:38,950 --> 00:18:37,200 all that uh 483 00:18:40,390 --> 00:18:38,960 you know our training flow has been 484 00:18:41,430 --> 00:18:40,400 compressed they kind of waited to the 485 00:18:43,750 --> 00:18:41,440 last 486 00:18:44,950 --> 00:18:43,760 possible moment to assign us just 487 00:18:46,710 --> 00:18:44,960 because we weren't sure whether the 488 00:18:49,110 --> 00:18:46,720 mission was going to fly so it's been 489 00:18:50,870 --> 00:18:49,120 been very compressed we probably 490 00:18:53,750 --> 00:18:50,880 were surely not going to get the maximum 491 00:18:56,789 --> 00:18:53,760 number of sims i know fergie was on his 492 00:18:58,630 --> 00:18:56,799 first flight for a sign for four 493 00:18:59,830 --> 00:18:58,640 four years so he probably saw a lot more 494 00:19:01,510 --> 00:18:59,840 sims then 495 00:19:03,830 --> 00:19:01,520 uh than we're gonna see but we're 496 00:19:06,230 --> 00:19:03,840 definitely getting a good amount and uh 497 00:19:07,430 --> 00:19:06,240 you know frankly we're just probably uh 498 00:19:09,029 --> 00:19:07,440 you know like these guys in mission 499 00:19:10,870 --> 00:19:09,039 control we're just working longer days 500 00:19:12,710 --> 00:19:10,880 to make sure we get every every base 501 00:19:14,870 --> 00:19:12,720 covered 502 00:19:16,549 --> 00:19:14,880 and i i think they're doing a great job 503 00:19:19,990 --> 00:19:16,559 i mean that sim today was 504 00:19:21,029 --> 00:19:20,000 was just crazy at times but it was uh 505 00:19:23,110 --> 00:19:21,039 you know they just fed us the 506 00:19:24,390 --> 00:19:23,120 information we needed and at the time we 507 00:19:26,150 --> 00:19:24,400 needed it and 508 00:19:27,590 --> 00:19:26,160 then we just you know the old alligator 509 00:19:28,470 --> 00:19:27,600 closest to the boat that's what we were 510 00:19:29,510 --> 00:19:28,480 doing 511 00:19:32,150 --> 00:19:29,520 and uh 512 00:19:33,669 --> 00:19:32,160 and as far as my favorite malfunction 513 00:19:35,510 --> 00:19:33,679 uh 514 00:19:37,669 --> 00:19:35,520 i don't know like today's was great and 515 00:19:40,630 --> 00:19:37,679 it was a freebie we had a helium leak on 516 00:19:42,950 --> 00:19:40,640 an engine and my mic was stuck 517 00:19:44,789 --> 00:19:42,960 so as we're trying to sort that and what 518 00:19:45,750 --> 00:19:44,799 happens is now 519 00:19:47,270 --> 00:19:45,760 we're on 520 00:19:48,870 --> 00:19:47,280 anybody talking in the cockpit the 521 00:19:51,669 --> 00:19:48,880 ground hears as they're trying to get us 522 00:19:53,270 --> 00:19:51,679 information and luckily you know we we 523 00:19:54,470 --> 00:19:53,280 work through it but it was just uh it 524 00:19:55,909 --> 00:19:54,480 was interesting because it was an actual 525 00:19:58,310 --> 00:19:55,919 hardware failure and and it's not 526 00:19:59,750 --> 00:19:58,320 uncommon to have that unit that 527 00:20:01,590 --> 00:19:59,760 interface unit that we have that we use 528 00:20:03,510 --> 00:20:01,600 to talk to the ground uh sometimes it 529 00:20:05,190 --> 00:20:03,520 breaks but that was a good one today and 530 00:20:08,789 --> 00:20:05,200 it was like i said it wasn't really 531 00:20:12,789 --> 00:20:11,190 yeah greg milam sky news um 532 00:20:14,390 --> 00:20:12,799 it's clear from what you've said that 533 00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:14,400 the team is very important in putting 534 00:20:17,029 --> 00:20:15,760 all of this together have you allowed 535 00:20:18,870 --> 00:20:17,039 yourself this to the crew have you 536 00:20:20,070 --> 00:20:18,880 allowed yourself to think about 537 00:20:21,510 --> 00:20:20,080 the emotions you'll feel when this 538 00:20:22,870 --> 00:20:21,520 mission is over can you can you give 539 00:20:23,909 --> 00:20:22,880 yourself a chance to think about those 540 00:20:25,190 --> 00:20:23,919 things 541 00:20:27,110 --> 00:20:25,200 yeah 542 00:20:29,350 --> 00:20:27,120 actually we haven't i think it hasn't 543 00:20:30,710 --> 00:20:29,360 hit us completely yet it's hit us in 544 00:20:32,470 --> 00:20:30,720 bits and pieces 545 00:20:33,990 --> 00:20:32,480 gradually as we've gotten closer for 546 00:20:36,630 --> 00:20:34,000 example we had a crew equipment 547 00:20:38,630 --> 00:20:36,640 interface test back in april in florida 548 00:20:40,630 --> 00:20:38,640 and we were down there this is typically 549 00:20:42,470 --> 00:20:40,640 a test we do with the orbiter while it's 550 00:20:43,669 --> 00:20:42,480 still in the processing facility and we 551 00:20:44,950 --> 00:20:43,679 go into the orbiter we look at the 552 00:20:46,549 --> 00:20:44,960 orbiter make sure everything's the way 553 00:20:48,710 --> 00:20:46,559 we would like it to be and and the 554 00:20:49,830 --> 00:20:48,720 ground team there shows us the different 555 00:20:52,230 --> 00:20:49,840 pieces of hardware we're going to 556 00:20:53,909 --> 00:20:52,240 interface with and the day after we had 557 00:20:55,190 --> 00:20:53,919 this test about half the team we were 558 00:20:56,630 --> 00:20:55,200 working with 559 00:20:57,750 --> 00:20:56,640 was going to be let go that was their 560 00:20:59,590 --> 00:20:57,760 last day 561 00:21:01,190 --> 00:20:59,600 and that's really for me the first time 562 00:21:02,950 --> 00:21:01,200 it became 563 00:21:04,789 --> 00:21:02,960 i guess i became emotional about it 564 00:21:06,390 --> 00:21:04,799 because it was just so 565 00:21:07,990 --> 00:21:06,400 it was very sad but it was also very 566 00:21:10,630 --> 00:21:08,000 inspiring because you see these people 567 00:21:12,470 --> 00:21:10,640 who are so dedicated and so passionate 568 00:21:14,310 --> 00:21:12,480 about what they do that 569 00:21:16,149 --> 00:21:14,320 um even though they were leaving a job 570 00:21:17,669 --> 00:21:16,159 that they had for decades they were 571 00:21:18,870 --> 00:21:17,679 still very excited about being a part of 572 00:21:20,549 --> 00:21:18,880 the space program and they were very 573 00:21:21,990 --> 00:21:20,559 determined that they were going to give 574 00:21:24,470 --> 00:21:22,000 us atlantis in the best shape that it 575 00:21:25,909 --> 00:21:24,480 could be in and it just it hits home 576 00:21:27,990 --> 00:21:25,919 again it's like what a spectacular 577 00:21:29,350 --> 00:21:28,000 workforce we have and it's just 578 00:21:30,710 --> 00:21:29,360 unfortunate that our transition is 579 00:21:33,029 --> 00:21:30,720 taking place in such a way that we're 580 00:21:35,110 --> 00:21:33,039 going to lose such good people and that 581 00:21:37,029 --> 00:21:35,120 will really hit home even more after we 582 00:21:47,350 --> 00:21:37,039 land and we really start saying goodbye 583 00:21:50,950 --> 00:21:49,190 hey ted oberg from channel 13 here in 584 00:21:52,630 --> 00:21:50,960 town i i think the question was asked 585 00:21:54,310 --> 00:21:52,640 earlier about is this a celebration or a 586 00:21:56,070 --> 00:21:54,320 funeral i i wonder if you guys could 587 00:21:59,510 --> 00:21:56,080 help us in houston 588 00:22:01,029 --> 00:21:59,520 do we end this program heads held high 589 00:22:03,350 --> 00:22:01,039 uh with 590 00:22:05,190 --> 00:22:03,360 30 years of accomplishments behind us 591 00:22:07,430 --> 00:22:05,200 or should we sort of slump and say hey 592 00:22:09,270 --> 00:22:07,440 look we're ending too soon i'm just 593 00:22:11,029 --> 00:22:09,280 curious from your point of view how we 594 00:22:12,710 --> 00:22:11,039 should all see this well in an ideal 595 00:22:15,029 --> 00:22:12,720 world if there was enough funds to tran 596 00:22:16,630 --> 00:22:15,039 to continue to operate this program at 597 00:22:18,390 --> 00:22:16,640 the same time as you develop a new 598 00:22:19,270 --> 00:22:18,400 program then yes we could potentially go 599 00:22:20,470 --> 00:22:19,280 on but 600 00:22:22,149 --> 00:22:20,480 being realistic about the money 601 00:22:24,710 --> 00:22:22,159 situation the countries and we it's hard 602 00:22:26,390 --> 00:22:24,720 to do both so then you say okay what is 603 00:22:28,070 --> 00:22:26,400 our goal our goal is to go beyond low 604 00:22:29,830 --> 00:22:28,080 earth orbit we need to get beyond the 605 00:22:31,590 --> 00:22:29,840 200 miles up to the space station we 606 00:22:33,990 --> 00:22:31,600 need to get back to exploring places 607 00:22:35,909 --> 00:22:34,000 where we've very rarely or never been 608 00:22:37,430 --> 00:22:35,919 and to do that we need a new vehicle so 609 00:22:39,029 --> 00:22:37,440 i think we we do need to make that 610 00:22:41,110 --> 00:22:39,039 transition now part of that hard 611 00:22:42,630 --> 00:22:41,120 transition is retiring the space shuttle 612 00:22:44,470 --> 00:22:42,640 and that is no question going to be 613 00:22:45,990 --> 00:22:44,480 going to be very very difficult but as 614 00:22:47,750 --> 00:22:46,000 far as i look at it you look at almost 615 00:22:49,909 --> 00:22:47,760 like a what a person when a person 616 00:22:51,990 --> 00:22:49,919 retires after 30 years of a magnificent 617 00:22:53,510 --> 00:22:52,000 career you have a big celebration you 618 00:22:55,190 --> 00:22:53,520 talk about what they did in the case of 619 00:22:57,270 --> 00:22:55,200 the space shuttle it launched probes to 620 00:22:59,430 --> 00:22:57,280 the sun to the planets it launched the 621 00:23:00,789 --> 00:22:59,440 hubble space telescope and it fixed the 622 00:23:03,110 --> 00:23:00,799 hubble space telescope and then the 623 00:23:04,630 --> 00:23:03,120 crown jewel it built the entire the us 624 00:23:06,310 --> 00:23:04,640 segment of the of the international 625 00:23:08,310 --> 00:23:06,320 space station so you take a look at all 626 00:23:09,669 --> 00:23:08,320 those you see those legacies live on you 627 00:23:11,909 --> 00:23:09,679 know the hubble will still be out there 628 00:23:13,750 --> 00:23:11,919 taking pictures and answering questions 629 00:23:15,029 --> 00:23:13,760 about the origins of the universe the sp 630 00:23:16,549 --> 00:23:15,039 the international space station will be 631 00:23:18,470 --> 00:23:16,559 there as the premier 632 00:23:20,470 --> 00:23:18,480 space research facility and so you 633 00:23:21,990 --> 00:23:20,480 celebrate those and you let the space 634 00:23:24,070 --> 00:23:22,000 shuttle take its rest now the space 635 00:23:25,430 --> 00:23:24,080 shuttle also won't stop inspiring people 636 00:23:26,710 --> 00:23:25,440 they're going to park atlantis down the 637 00:23:28,149 --> 00:23:26,720 kennedy space center and little kids are 638 00:23:30,230 --> 00:23:28,159 going to go up real close for the first 639 00:23:32,070 --> 00:23:30,240 time to get to see the atlantis and say 640 00:23:33,990 --> 00:23:32,080 wow that's amazing we could launch those 641 00:23:35,510 --> 00:23:34,000 things into space and hopefully they get 642 00:23:37,830 --> 00:23:35,520 the same kid reactions get well do it 643 00:23:39,190 --> 00:23:37,840 again do it again and so i'm hoping that 644 00:23:40,870 --> 00:23:39,200 it inspires people when they go up and 645 00:23:42,149 --> 00:23:40,880 see it close that hey we do need to keep 646 00:23:45,510 --> 00:23:42,159 doing this and we need to go farther 647 00:23:50,870 --> 00:23:47,350 hi robert perlman with collectspace.com 648 00:23:52,310 --> 00:23:50,880 again uh for richard and chris um you 649 00:23:54,870 --> 00:23:52,320 had a couple of runs today that i 650 00:23:56,870 --> 00:23:54,880 believe were um uh transatlantic aborts 651 00:23:59,590 --> 00:23:56,880 and assuming atlantis gets to orbit fine 652 00:24:00,950 --> 00:23:59,600 knock on wood um they will that will be 653 00:24:03,190 --> 00:24:00,960 an activity that has never been 654 00:24:04,789 --> 00:24:03,200 performed uh through the shuttle program 655 00:24:06,789 --> 00:24:04,799 can you weigh 656 00:24:08,789 --> 00:24:06,799 the time that was spent training for 657 00:24:09,990 --> 00:24:08,799 that activity versus 658 00:24:11,110 --> 00:24:10,000 um 659 00:24:12,710 --> 00:24:11,120 what might have been given other 660 00:24:15,029 --> 00:24:12,720 priorities versus 661 00:24:16,950 --> 00:24:15,039 given that you in hindsight we never had 662 00:24:17,750 --> 00:24:16,960 to do that type of activity 663 00:24:19,830 --> 00:24:17,760 yeah 664 00:24:21,269 --> 00:24:19,840 you know and let me quote john young of 665 00:24:23,190 --> 00:24:21,279 course john young is a legacy in our 666 00:24:26,549 --> 00:24:23,200 office and uh 667 00:24:28,470 --> 00:24:26,559 when i first got here in 1998 um when we 668 00:24:29,750 --> 00:24:28,480 talked about these kind of aborts and he 669 00:24:31,510 --> 00:24:29,760 talked openly of course he was the first 670 00:24:33,669 --> 00:24:31,520 one that flew the shuttle 671 00:24:37,190 --> 00:24:33,679 even at that time around the vicinity of 672 00:24:38,549 --> 00:24:37,200 sts 98 99 100 he said that he found it 673 00:24:40,789 --> 00:24:38,559 absolutely incredible that we hadn't 674 00:24:42,149 --> 00:24:40,799 executed some type of abort up to this 675 00:24:44,230 --> 00:24:42,159 point in the program 676 00:24:46,950 --> 00:24:44,240 so i i think just to answer your 677 00:24:48,710 --> 00:24:46,960 question me personally you know was it 678 00:24:51,269 --> 00:24:48,720 perhaps time wasted doing all that well 679 00:24:53,269 --> 00:24:51,279 absolutely not because i think we are we 680 00:24:54,390 --> 00:24:53,279 are you know we've had we've had one 681 00:24:56,230 --> 00:24:54,400 very late 682 00:25:00,310 --> 00:24:56,240 ssme failure very early on in the 683 00:25:01,830 --> 00:25:00,320 program but uh you know we it's the ssme 684 00:25:03,510 --> 00:25:01,840 is an amazing thing 685 00:25:06,230 --> 00:25:03,520 but it's a seven thousand pounds swiss 686 00:25:07,990 --> 00:25:06,240 watch and and one small thing can can 687 00:25:09,190 --> 00:25:08,000 lead to lead to an abort and we always 688 00:25:11,830 --> 00:25:09,200 need to be prepared for something like 689 00:25:13,029 --> 00:25:11,840 that so uh you know knock on wood we're 690 00:25:15,350 --> 00:25:13,039 gonna get through this program without 691 00:25:18,470 --> 00:25:15,360 executing you know our intact aborts a 692 00:25:19,510 --> 00:25:18,480 towel or perhaps an rtls or an aoa but 693 00:25:21,190 --> 00:25:19,520 uh 694 00:25:22,870 --> 00:25:21,200 no i think we need to do this plus it 695 00:25:24,230 --> 00:25:22,880 helps everybody understand the system a 696 00:25:25,830 --> 00:25:24,240 lot better i've talked a little bit 697 00:25:27,430 --> 00:25:25,840 longer than you turned over to richard 698 00:25:28,390 --> 00:25:27,440 gosh fergie said what i was about to say 699 00:25:30,470 --> 00:25:28,400 there at the end 700 00:25:31,830 --> 00:25:30,480 um it teaches us about the the orbiter 701 00:25:33,830 --> 00:25:31,840 every one of these simulations that we 702 00:25:35,909 --> 00:25:33,840 do whether it's an ascent an orbit or an 703 00:25:37,190 --> 00:25:35,919 entry simulation we learn things about 704 00:25:39,029 --> 00:25:37,200 the vehicle we learn things about 705 00:25:40,789 --> 00:25:39,039 ourselves we learn things about our 706 00:25:42,870 --> 00:25:40,799 procedures and we learn about 707 00:25:44,870 --> 00:25:42,880 deficiencies that have to be filled or 708 00:25:47,350 --> 00:25:44,880 we learn about things that just just 709 00:25:49,269 --> 00:25:47,360 need a little bit more attention and so 710 00:25:50,870 --> 00:25:49,279 uh no matter what you're doing even 711 00:25:53,430 --> 00:25:50,880 though we've spent all this time 712 00:25:55,990 --> 00:25:53,440 practicing all of these ascent or entry 713 00:25:57,590 --> 00:25:56,000 ascent related aborts 714 00:25:58,950 --> 00:25:57,600 that's what makes us stronger makes us 715 00:26:01,029 --> 00:25:58,960 what we are and 716 00:26:03,029 --> 00:26:01,039 i think in a way it makes this look 717 00:26:05,029 --> 00:26:03,039 routine 718 00:26:06,310 --> 00:26:05,039 that's what it does and so 719 00:26:08,549 --> 00:26:06,320 all of the work that we're putting in 720 00:26:09,909 --> 00:26:08,559 down here translates to gosh 721 00:26:13,510 --> 00:26:09,919 everything's looking pretty normal up 722 00:26:17,269 --> 00:26:15,350 uh mark caro for aviation week and this 723 00:26:18,149 --> 00:26:17,279 may be for rich or chris i'm not sure 724 00:26:20,470 --> 00:26:18,159 what 725 00:26:21,990 --> 00:26:20,480 uh but do you and i'm following up an 726 00:26:24,549 --> 00:26:22,000 earlier question about extension 727 00:26:26,870 --> 00:26:24,559 potential for the mission is it possible 728 00:26:29,110 --> 00:26:26,880 at all is it depend on how much power 729 00:26:30,470 --> 00:26:29,120 you can serve 730 00:26:31,750 --> 00:26:30,480 what are you looking at in the back 731 00:26:33,909 --> 00:26:31,760 pocket if you 732 00:26:36,789 --> 00:26:33,919 well my understanding right now 733 00:26:38,870 --> 00:26:36,799 the limiting criteria is i cryo our 734 00:26:40,789 --> 00:26:38,880 cryogenic capability that the the 735 00:26:43,110 --> 00:26:40,799 consumables ever loading on the orbiter 736 00:26:46,390 --> 00:26:43,120 even if we lift off on time we're not 737 00:26:48,310 --> 00:26:46,400 going to have enough cryo to make an 738 00:26:51,029 --> 00:26:48,320 extra day that we could add to the 739 00:26:54,310 --> 00:26:51,039 mission so right now my understanding is 740 00:26:55,990 --> 00:26:54,320 uh we have a 12-day mission and 741 00:26:57,990 --> 00:26:56,000 a nominal 12-day mission is all that 742 00:27:00,230 --> 00:26:58,000 we're going to get it's unless we do 743 00:27:01,990 --> 00:27:00,240 something very heroic in terms of a 744 00:27:06,149 --> 00:27:02,000 power down 745 00:27:07,470 --> 00:27:06,159 we're not going to get that extra day 746 00:27:09,269 --> 00:27:07,480 philip sloss with the 747 00:27:12,710 --> 00:27:09,279 nasaspaceflight.com i 748 00:27:13,830 --> 00:27:12,720 i guess is maybe for sandy uh 749 00:27:16,470 --> 00:27:13,840 where uh 750 00:27:18,870 --> 00:27:16,480 where does it stand in terms of uh 751 00:27:20,310 --> 00:27:18,880 the the transfers um i guess i've seen 752 00:27:23,430 --> 00:27:20,320 some information that says you're going 753 00:27:24,950 --> 00:27:23,440 to try and get the mplm about 70 full 754 00:27:26,149 --> 00:27:24,960 coming down 755 00:27:31,510 --> 00:27:26,159 if you do 756 00:27:34,789 --> 00:27:31,520 pack it even more full than that or is 757 00:27:36,549 --> 00:27:34,799 that about or is it you know that's it 758 00:27:38,389 --> 00:27:36,559 i'm giggling because i've been i've been 759 00:27:40,149 --> 00:27:38,399 pushing all along we need to take more 760 00:27:41,350 --> 00:27:40,159 foam back with us when we return because 761 00:27:43,110 --> 00:27:41,360 you know as a station crew member that's 762 00:27:45,029 --> 00:27:43,120 a challenge to get all the packing 763 00:27:46,789 --> 00:27:45,039 material out of the space station bring 764 00:27:48,549 --> 00:27:46,799 it home because packing material takes 765 00:27:50,230 --> 00:27:48,559 up a lot of space and we use it very 766 00:27:51,909 --> 00:27:50,240 enthusiastically 767 00:27:54,549 --> 00:27:51,919 we do have about a 70 768 00:27:55,669 --> 00:27:54,559 a full mplm you know it's very dynamic 769 00:27:57,830 --> 00:27:55,679 at that part of the mission there'll be 770 00:27:59,590 --> 00:27:57,840 things i'm sure that are added on as the 771 00:28:00,389 --> 00:27:59,600 space station program takes a look at 772 00:28:05,029 --> 00:28:00,399 what 773 00:28:06,950 --> 00:28:05,039 have time to get ready for us so 774 00:28:08,549 --> 00:28:06,960 hopefully we can bring more than that 775 00:28:10,070 --> 00:28:08,559 and we'll see we'll certainly be ready 776 00:28:11,830 --> 00:28:10,080 to and i'm sure we'll be asked to bring 777 00:28:13,350 --> 00:28:11,840 more than that as well and as far as 778 00:28:16,789 --> 00:28:13,360 time goes i think we'll be able to get 779 00:28:20,789 --> 00:28:18,470 jackie goddard for the sunday telegraph 780 00:28:22,870 --> 00:28:20,799 again um i wanted to ask who's the last 781 00:28:24,389 --> 00:28:22,880 person that will get off atlantis after 782 00:28:26,470 --> 00:28:24,399 wheel stop i'm assuming it's you 783 00:28:28,789 --> 00:28:26,480 commander and if i'm correct what will 784 00:28:31,190 --> 00:28:28,799 you do and what will you say um to bid 785 00:28:32,870 --> 00:28:31,200 farewell to the shuttle into the end of 786 00:28:34,870 --> 00:28:32,880 this era 787 00:28:37,430 --> 00:28:34,880 well traditionally the commander gets 788 00:28:39,830 --> 00:28:37,440 off uh last and unless chunky here does 789 00:28:42,950 --> 00:28:39,840 something to me uh i 790 00:28:44,230 --> 00:28:42,960 i plan on i plan on getting off last um 791 00:28:45,590 --> 00:28:44,240 you know what we'll have some words 792 00:28:47,190 --> 00:28:45,600 hopefully that will acknowledge the 793 00:28:49,590 --> 00:28:47,200 significance of the event uh after the 794 00:28:51,750 --> 00:28:49,600 wheels stop and uh you know i near the 795 00:28:53,430 --> 00:28:51,760 very end i don't know i'll probably just 796 00:28:54,789 --> 00:28:53,440 try to find something i'm not preparing 797 00:28:56,230 --> 00:28:54,799 anything but i'm sure we'll have some 798 00:28:58,549 --> 00:28:56,240 really good words for the control team 799 00:29:00,310 --> 00:28:58,559 here in houston uh you know to thank 800 00:29:01,750 --> 00:29:00,320 them because you know not only are we 801 00:29:03,669 --> 00:29:01,760 climbing out of the orbiter for the last 802 00:29:06,310 --> 00:29:03,679 time but this room that we're standing 803 00:29:08,470 --> 00:29:06,320 in here um you know it may be one of the 804 00:29:10,070 --> 00:29:08,480 maybe one of the last times that it ever 805 00:29:12,549 --> 00:29:10,080 gets used at least in the configuration 806 00:29:14,630 --> 00:29:12,559 that it's in right now so i'm not quite 807 00:29:16,549 --> 00:29:14,640 sure how everybody's gonna feel uh i i 808 00:29:18,950 --> 00:29:16,559 think it'll be it'll be an emotionally 809 00:29:20,950 --> 00:29:18,960 challenging time um i think it'll be a 810 00:29:22,549 --> 00:29:20,960 celebration because uh 811 00:29:23,830 --> 00:29:22,559 you know we're in effect we've we're 812 00:29:25,990 --> 00:29:23,840 mission accomplished we've done 813 00:29:27,190 --> 00:29:26,000 everything we set to do in a span of 30 814 00:29:28,870 --> 00:29:27,200 years 815 00:29:30,389 --> 00:29:28,880 but at the same time you know you always 816 00:29:31,830 --> 00:29:30,399 hate to lose your 817 00:29:33,269 --> 00:29:31,840 lose your first airplane i can't 818 00:29:34,710 --> 00:29:33,279 remember the first airplane i ever flew 819 00:29:36,389 --> 00:29:34,720 i hated stop flying it because i really 820 00:29:45,029 --> 00:29:36,399 liked it and the space shuttle is no 821 00:29:48,630 --> 00:29:46,950 just say god bless you and it's an honor 822 00:29:51,110 --> 00:29:48,640 and privilege to be here with you pat 823 00:29:54,070 --> 00:29:51,120 patton goodry news thanks so very much 824 00:29:56,070 --> 00:29:54,080 pat 825 00:29:57,430 --> 00:29:56,080 with that that wraps up the uh media 826 00:29:59,350 --> 00:29:57,440 portion in the questions and just a 827 00:30:01,190 --> 00:29:59,360 reminder there are addition additional 828 00:30:03,669 --> 00:30:01,200 interview opportunities following this 829 00:30:05,510 --> 00:30:03,679 including with the lead space station 830 00:30:08,230 --> 00:30:05,520 flight director chris edelen and also 831 00:30:09,350 --> 00:30:08,240 quatsi oliverojo who is the lead shuttle 832 00:30:10,710 --> 00:30:09,360 flight director for the mission they'll