NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 11 May 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, Olivas and Anderson
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, repairs to the foam on the hail-damaged external fuel tank ET-124 are nearly complete, and technicians and engineers are preparing Atlantis for its rollout to Launch Pad 39A, currently scheduled for May 16. Atlantis’ three main engines, which were removed last week to allow for inspection of the flow liners, have all been reinstalled, and final checkout and testing are under way.

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 Aug. 9, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Hobaugh, Williams, Morgan, Mastracchio, Caldwell and Drew
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Members of the STS-118 crew are in Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2 today and will be there Saturday for the crew equipment interface test. The test provides an opportunity for the crew to review equipment in the crew cabin and cargo bay of the orbiter, and to review in-flight maintenance procedures.

Earlier in the week, technicians installed the tunnel adapter, which is located in the midbody between the external airlock and a container used to transport experiments and cargo. Completion of the installation signifies closeout of the orbiter’s midbody. Technicians continued work this week on modifications to the orbiter’s engine cutoff sensor wiring. Work also continues on closeout of the orbiter maneuvering system and the orbiter aft.

Mission: STS-120 – 23rd International Space Station Flight (10A) – U.S. Node 2
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 20, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Melroy, Zamka, Parazynski, Wheelock, Wilson, Nespoli and Tani
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, workers continue modifications to the orbiter’s engine cutoff sensor wiring. Functional testing of the atmospheric revitalization pressure control system, part of the orbiter’s life support system, is under way. Workers are also preparing for servicing of the ammonia boiler, which is a heat exchanger that helps cool the hydraulic system.