FD7 -- Success!!

What a day!! Of the entire mission, today was the day i was worried about the most. We had a ton of activities on the timeline today. Today was the day that the ISS had the best chance of losing attitude control. We call that LoAC (lo-ack) or Loss of Attitude Control. LoAC is generally not a good thing. That means something happened unexpectedly. It also means that we are not able to point the ISS in the proper orientation and this affects several other disciplines. Power generation could be compromised or temperature sensitive items could freeze or overheat. No one is happy when we LoAC.

There were two events in which the potential for LoACing was fairly high. The first being the external stowage platform installation. This 7000 lb platform was removed from the shuttle's payload bay and "swung" out to an external truss. This "swinging" of the robotic arm (if moved fast enough) could cause us to LoAC. But we made it through.

The second opportunity was when we were attempting something we only tried once before. And that once before ended in a LoAC. After some analysis and additional brainstorming, some flight controllers/engineers came up with a way to make it work. We tried out that plan and things worked. It was exciting.

We also incorporated the new CMG into the control law today. This was the first time that we used the new CMG for what it was intended. The new CMG was a tremendous help. I'm sure there were some excited people all around...i know i was excited.

So...today was a great day.

After my shift i had time to make it to the football field to join the rest of the MudDogs for a great game. We were worried that there weren't going to be enough people tonight with the mission going on so we recruited some help. We had the most substitutions that i've ever seen. I was moved from my normal position of rusher to corner. I ended up with two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and nearly a third. I have a little secret...i used to play corner in junior high and highschool. It was fun.

Well, i'm off to bed...i'm tired.
Tomorrow's color is yellow. I don't have any yellow...dunno what i'm gonna do...