NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status 3 October 2005
Discovery (OV-103)
Mission: STS-121 – 18th International Space Station Flight
Payload: Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
Launch Date: no earlier than March 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak, Wilson and Reiter
Discovery is in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 with processing under way for the second space shuttle return to flight test mission (STS-121). Post-flight window inspections continue. Thermography and eddy current inspections are complete on the left-hand reinforced carbon-carbon panels, with eddy current work continuing on the right-hand wing.
Following removal of the main engines, technicians began eddy current and ultrasonic inspections of the flow liners. The inspections ensure no microscopic cracks are present in the line that carries liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the external tank to the main engines during launch. Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks continue.
External Tank
External Tank 119, the third redesigned shuttle fuel tank, arrived at the NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans Sunday for modification. Workers will off-load it today and begin limited testing. The external tank team will determine the necessary work prior to the next flight. During the last review, managers discussed plans to remove and replace protuberance air load ramps
Mission: STS-115 – 19th ISS Flight (12A) – P3/P4 Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1
Launch Date: TBD
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Atlantis is being processed for a mission to the International Space Station. Thermal barrier inspections of the landing gear doors are complete. Forward reaction control system wire inspections are finished in preparation for installing the system in about one month. The microwave scanning beam landing system inspections have been performed.
Endeavour (OV-105)
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2, orbiter Endeavour’s electrical system was partially powered up last Tuesday after nearly two years. Full power-up is scheduled for Oct. 6. During Endeavour’s modification period, 124 were completed, including installing the new Multi-Functional Electronic Display System. More than 150 miles of wiring were inspected and 1,000 thermal tiles were bonded. This was the second full modification conducted at Kennedy.
NASA’s Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at Kennedy. For previous Space Shuttle processing status reports on the Web, visit
