NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 14 September 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
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 23, 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 3, forward and aft closeout work is complete. The payload bay doors were opened this week in order to install the tool stowage assembly that will be used by crew members on orbit to test tile repair techniques. The payload bay doors are now closed for rollover, and the vehicle has been powered down.
The orbiter weight and center of gravity have been determined. This is the final task prior to transferring Discovery to the orbiter transporter in preparation for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Rollover is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. Sept. 19.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, mating closeout work continues on the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in high bay 1.
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 1, checkout and verification of the orbiter’s remote manipulator system, also known as the shuttle arm, are complete. Technicians are reinstalling the left orbital maneuvering system pod, which was removed for a valve repair. System testing continues in the vehicle. Technicians are checking out the water spray boiler system.
ET-125, the external fuel tank for mission STS-122, arrived at Kennedy via barge at 12:30 p.m. today. The tank was then offloaded and transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be lifted into a checkout cell on Saturday to allow for processing.
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 2, the three shuttle main engines have been removed for inspection and processing. Hydraulic operations are under way this week. This involves repositioning the orbiter’s aero surfaces, such as the body flaps, rudder speed brake and elevons, to allow for tile inspections. Technicians are performing functional tests of the orbital maneuvering system pods. Post-flight deconfiguration of the payload bay is also in progress.
