FW: STS-88 Landings and launches
MALEY, PAUL D. (paul.d.maley1@jsc.nasa.gov)
Wed, 2 Dec 1998 13:19:57 -0600
To clear up a misconception, the following two emails describe a known
hardware limitation called 'year end rollover'. It has no effect on the
Shuttle's ability to launch or fly across a new year. A work around was put
into place some time ago which permits us to overcome this obstacle.
Therefore if December 17 is for some reason being touted as the last day to
attempt a launch, it would not be because of this topic. The box that keeps
track of the time is the MTU (not MPU as noted below) -- master timing unit.
Paul D. Maley
tel. 281-244-0208; fax: 281-244-1140
email: paul.d.maley1@jsc.nasa.gov
latitude 29.6049 north, longitude 95.1086 west, elev 6m
> Subject: Re: STS-88 Landings and launches
>
> There is a hardware limitation which precludes the shuttle being in space
> when going from one year to another. With a mission duration of about 12
> days and another 2 days of contingency and 31 days in December, then
> around
> December 17 would be the last day they would attempt a launch this year.
>
> The hardware limitation was described by a flight director in a Q&A about
> the shuttle and the Y2K problem on the shuttle web page. The limit is in
> the
> MPU which keeps track of the day of year. It would suddenly go from day
> 365
> to day 1.
>
>
> Bill Bard
>