NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 12 October 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-120 – 23rd International Space Station Flight – U.S. Node 2 (Harmony)
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 23, 2007
Crew: Melroy, Zamka, Parazynski, Wheelock, Wilson, Nespoli and Tani
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39A, the hypergolic propellants have been loaded into the solid rocket booster hydraulic power units, as well as into Discovery’s orbital maneuvering system, forward reaction control system and auxiliary power units. On Thursday, the rotating service structure at the pad was rotated away from Discovery to allow for the auxiliary power unit hotfire, which was successfully completed. The rotating service structure was returned to the mate position later that day. Orbiter aft closeout work begins today.
On Sunday, the STS-120 crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center for the terminal countdown demonstration test, which involves a launch dress rehearsal. Crew activities included practicing emergency egress operations at the pad, reviewing the payload bay configuration, and suiting up and climbing into the crew cabin of the orbiter to run through the prelaunch checklist.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, a program-level flight readiness review was held at Kennedy. Space Shuttle Program managers concluded the review with a recommendation to proceed toward a targeted launch on Oct. 23. An agency-level review will take place on Oct. 16 at Kennedy, where an official launch date will be decided.
Mission: STS-122 – 24th International Space Station Flight – Columbus Module
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
Launch Date: Targeted for Dec. 6, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin and Walheim
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 1, midbody closeout and inspection work is complete and the payload bay doors were closed for rollover. Workers continue to close out and inspect the forward and aft sections. The landing gear functional test was successfully performed.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, processing continues on ET-125, the external fuel tank for mission STS-122. Repairs to the liquid oxygen feedline support bracket foam are complete and access platforms are being removed. In high bay No. 3, stacking of the solid rocket boosters is finished.
Mission: STS-123 – 25th International Space Station Flight – Kibo, Dextre
Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2
Launch Date: Targeted for Feb. 14, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Gorie, Johnson, Linnehan, Doi, Behnken, Foreman and Reisman
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2, window No. 1 was removed and replaced this week, and the removal and replacement of window No. 6 is in progress. The external airlock upper hatch functional test is complete.
Technicians continue to inspect the main propulsion system flow liners, feedlines and gimbal joints. Preparations for installation of BRI tile around the main landing gear doors continue. The BRI tile is a stronger tile designed for critical areas on the orbiter. Work is under way to configure the payload bay for the STS-123 cargo.
