NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status 9 Apr 2004

Discovery (OV-103)

Technicians continue to prepare Discovery for its Return to
Flight mission to the International Space Station. The left-
hand Orbiter Maneuvering System pod was moved from the
Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF) to the Orbiter
Processing Facility (OPF) on Monday for installation on the
vehicle.

Build-up of left-hand Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels
and associated fittings is ongoing with 16 left-hand spar
fittings installed on the vehicle. Thermal Protection System
blanket installation is in work inside of Discovery’s nose
cap in the low bay area outside of the Orbiter Processing
Facility. Thermography has been performed on 43 of the 44
panels, with nose cap thermography scheduled for next week.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Processing work continues in the OPF as technicians prepare
Atlantis for its future flight to the International Space
Station. Technicians continue steps toward removal of the
rudder speed brake actuators.

All of Atlantis’ 44 RCC panels have been received at KSC, and
all 22 panels have been hung on the left-hand wing. Sixteen
left-hand T-seals, the C-shaped seals that fit between each
panel, have been installed. Build-up of right-hand RCC panels
and associated fittings is ongoing. Nose cap thermography is
complete.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which
began in December 2003. The Orbiter Maneuvering System left-
hand pod was transferred from the OPF to the HMF, where it
will undergo routine inspections and maintenance.

Rudder Speed Brake panel removal began yesterday. Actuators
scheduled for removal as early as Monday. RCC thermography
continues with only eight of the 44 panels remaining.