Space Shuttle Processing Status 23 May 2001
MISSION: STS-104 – 10th ISS Flight (7A) – Airlock
VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: NET June 16, 2001 EDT (under review)
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: June 27, 2001
MISSION DURATION: 11 days
CREW: Lindsey, Hobaugh, Kavandi, Gernhardt, Reilly
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Shuttle managers expect a delay of at least a few
days to the previously targeted June 14 launch date of Space Shuttle
Atlantis. Orbiter Atlantis is mounted on the orbiter transporter, but
remains in the OPF. Moisture readings in about 500 of the orbiter’s thermal
protective tile prevented its transfer to the VAB last night.
Engineers are evaluating the condition while KSC managers assess the impact
to the processing schedule. Based on current work plans rollover to the
Vehicle Assembly Building will occur no earlier than Sunday, but additional
tile analysis may require additional work.
Atlantis’ moisture exposure occurred following the STS-98 California
landing. Edwards Air Force Base encountered significant rainstorms during
the orbiter’s turn around for a ferry flight home. Once processing started
at KSC, workers began the standard maintenance procedure of “baking” the wet
tile with light banks. Early testing indicated that the tile drying efforts
went well, but recent follow-up testing indicated that tile moisture was
still a concern.
MISSION: STS-105 – 11th ISS Flight (7A.1) – Leonardo MPLM
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: OPF bay 2
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 12, 2001 at 5:22 a.m. EDT
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 23, 2001
MISSION DURATION: 11 days
CREW: Horowitz, Sturckow, Barry, Forrester; (ISS up) Culbertson, Dezhurov,
Turin; (ISS down) Usachev, Voss, Helms,
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Workers have completed interface verification
testing on Discovery’s space vision system. The orbiter’s umbilical doors
have been functionally tested, also. This week, technicians are checking
the water spray boilers and servicing the potable water system. Engine heat
shield installation is in work, along with communication system checks.
MISSION: STS-108 – 12th ISS Flight (UF1) – MPLM
VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Nov. 29, 2001
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 9, 2001
MISSION DURATION: 10 days
CREW: Gorie, Kelly, Godwin, Tani; (ISS up) Onufrienko, Bursch, Walz; (ISS
down) Culbertson, Dezhurov, Turin
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Post-flight inspections of Endeavour’s main
propulsion system are complete. Forward reaction control system checks are
on going, and engine heat shield removal is in work. Managers plan to
remove Endeavour’s main engines this week.
MISSION: STS-109 – HST Servicing Mission 3B
VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 4
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Jan. 17, 2002
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Jan. 28, 2002
MISSION DURATION: TBD
CREW: Altman, Carey, Grunsfeld, Currie, Newman, Linnehan, Massimino
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 308 nautical miles/28.5 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Columbia is being stored in VAB high bay 4 until
Atlantis moves to the VAB to be mated to the STS-104 external tank and solid
rocket boosters. Columbia will then be transferred into OPF bay 3 to
continue STS-109 preflight processing.
