valves left open?

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Brian Gaff - 30 Aug 2004 14:38 GMT

ATLAS IIAS LAUNCH POSTPONED AGAIN
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., August 28, 2004 --

The launch of AC-167, an Atlas IIAS mission, was scrubbed today due to an
insufficient level of liquid oxygen remaining in the ground storage tanks to
complete launch operations. An anomalous valve position allowed the release
of liquid oxygen to the drainage area.

The storage tanks will be refilled for a launch attempt Sunday. The new
launch time is 6:57 p.m. EDT.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people
worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and
services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Contact:

Fran Slimmer, International Launch Services, mobile: 1-646-229-4801;
fran.slimmer@lmco.com

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--------------------------------------

Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info

So, why would there be a valve there, and who would open it anyway. You
would think that some of those employees mentioned above might have had the
job of checking such minor things before they pumped fuel down the pipe?

Cough.

Brian

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Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
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Brian Thorn - 31 Aug 2004 00:25 GMT

>ATLAS IIAS LAUNCH POSTPONED AGAIN
>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., August 28, 2004 --
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>complete launch operations. An anomalous valve position allowed the release
>of liquid oxygen to the drainage area.

Yeah, that wasn't exactly LockMart's finest hour...

Brian

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Kim Keller - 31 Aug 2004 03:25 GMT

> So, why would there be a valve there, and who would open it anyway. You
> would think that some of those employees mentioned above might have had the
> job of checking such minor things before they pumped fuel down the pipe?

I heard an explanation at work today which may or may not be real deal (I'll
leave that to the reader):

The engineer working the responsible console evidently ate something bad for
lunch and came down with a case of the runs. Hit by a sudden diarrhea
attack, he bolted for the restroom, accidentally tripping the control for
the drain valve without realizing it. The Atlas blockhouse has never been
updated to modern standards, so the controls are largely manual and possess
the ergonomics of the 60s. That being the case I have no reason to doubt the
story.

-Kim-

Reply to this Message

Brian Gaff - 31 Aug 2004 09:25 GMT

> > So, why would there be a valve there, and who would open it anyway. You
> > would think that some of those employees mentioned above might have had
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> -Kim-

So, putting it crudely.. red faced and red bottomed then!

Oh dear, well at least it was only Oxygen, and nothing volatile or
polluting!

Brian

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Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email: briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
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