NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 14 December 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-122 – 24th International Space Station Flight – Columbus Module
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: Targeted for Jan. 10, 2008
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin, Walheim
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Shuttle Program managers decided Thursday to target Jan. 10, 2008, to launch the STS-122 mission.
At Launch Pad 39A, preparations continue for a Dec. 18 tanking test to troubleshoot the engine cutoff (ECO) sensors. Test wiring has been spliced into an electrical harness in the aft main engine compartment connected with the ECO sensor system. The attached wiring leads to the interior of the mobile launcher platform where the time domain reflectometry (TDR) test equipment will be located. This wiring is being tested today. On Wednesday in the Vehicle Assembly Building, the TDR was connected to the external tank to be used for STS-123. This allowed a “dry” ambient temperature signature to be identified. Friday in Kennedy Space Center’s cryogenic test bed facility, TDR instrumentation is being exposed to “wet” super-cold temperatures for identifying the signature of a cryogenic environment and calibrating the TDR equipment. Saturday, the TDR will be taken to the launch pad and installed. The GO2 battery recharge was completed and the GH2 battery recharge is planned for Friday. Aft Propulsion System and Forward Reaction Control System GHe QD leak checks and disconnects were completed. Hard window cover installation is complete.
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, Reisman
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2, orbiter closeouts for Vehicle Assembly Building rollover continue. Main landing gear (MLG) brake installation is scheduled for today. ECL GN2 3-day decay test continues through Saturday. Final Ku-band self test and cable unwrap is complete. MEDS MDU display verification is complete and good. R5R vernier thruster flush, thruster drying and inspection, MLG strut seal remove-and-replace work, potable water servicing microbial testing, and ECL GN2 servicing and topoff were completed this week.
In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, booster integration activities continue. Stacking and joint closeouts are complete. S&A devices are installed and the LSCs will be installed today.
In high bay No. 2E of the Vehicle Assembly Building, LH2/LO2 disc measurements are in work and will continue through the weekend.
Preps for external tank mate will resume on Dec. 17 following Friday’s external tank/solid rocket booster mate review. Final payload bay door closure for Orbiter Processing Facility rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building is complete.
Mission: STS-124 – 26th International Space Station Flight – Kibo Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for April 24, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, the orbiter PVD door functional test, fuel cells 1 and 3 functional checkout, and RMS turnaround verification preps were completed. Port MPMs were moved to the vertical position on Dec. 13. The MADS data recorder removal, replacement, and retest are scheduled for Friday. The floor plate, side panels and phenolic panels were installed this week for aft skirt joint closeout and floor plate installation.
