NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status 13 April 2007
Note: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing Status Reports periodically and is the source for information regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and payloads. If you are a member of the media and would like further information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/index.html
Mission: STS-117 – 21st International Space Station Flight (13A) – S3/S4 Truss Segment Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Vehicle Assembly Building
Launch Date: Targeted for June 8, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Sturckow, Archambault, Reilly, Swanson, Forrester and Olivas
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians and engineers continue the repair work on the hail-damaged STS-117 external fuel tank, ET-124, following a decision this week by Space Shuttle Program managers to target a launch date of June 8 using the repaired tank.
Preparations are under way for the removal of Atlantis’ three main engines to inspect for flow liner contamination. This work can be accomplished within the time frame of the hail damage recovery effort, with no impact to the launch schedule for STS-117.
Mission: STS-118 – 22nd International Space Station Flight (13A.1) – S5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2
Launch Date: Targeted for August 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Hobaugh, Williams, Morgan, Mastracchio, Caldwell and Anderson
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
All three orbiter main engines were removed from Endeavour this week to allow for flow liner contaminant inspections. The orbiter boom sensor system was removed for mechanical repairs on the boom pedestals. The boom is scheduled to be reinstalled next week. The forward external airlock hatch functional test was successfully completed, and closeout of the payload bay compartments is under way.
ET-117, the external fuel tank to be used for STS-118, arrived at KSC April 6 and will be moved next week to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be placed in a checkout cell in high bay No. 2 for processing.
Mission: STS-122 – 24th International Space Station Flight (1E) – Columbus Laboratory
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for Fall 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Walheim, Love, Melvin, Schlegel and Eyharts
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Processing of Discovery, which returned from the STS-116 mission on Dec. 22, continues in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3.
Mechanical and electrical mates and leak checks of fuel cell No. 2 are done. Coolant servicing for fuel cell No. 2 is complete. Water spray boiler system servicing and checkout continues. Wire tray closeouts in the midbody are ongoing and cargo bay closeouts are under way.
