NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 2 Jul 2004

Discovery (OV-103)

Orbiter Discovery’s scheduled power-down period for its
Return to Flight mission, STS-114, to the International
Space Station is progressing well. The Return to Flight
modifications, including the orbiter boom sensor-system
wiring and preparations for installation of the wing
leading-edge sensors are almost complete. The External Tank
camera wiring harness is installed.

Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panel installation is almost
complete on both of the wing leading edges, with two panels
remaining to be hung on the left-hand side and three panels
remaining to be hung on the right-hand side.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Processing continues on Atlantis in the Orbiter Processing
Facility in support of its future mission to the
International Space Station. The majority of the external
flex hose inspections are complete, and the internal flex
hose inspections have begun. Each vehicle has about 300 flex
hoses, which are flexible tubing between two fixed ends.

Four left-hand carrier panels have been installed. They are
Thermal Protection System panels that attach the RCC panels
to the wing leading edge. On the right-hand side, work has
begun to install the spar fittings. The RCC panels are
mechanically attached to the wing with spar fittings, which
are a series of floating joints to reduce stress on the
panels when the Shuttles are in flight.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification
period, which began last December. Electrical modifications
continue in the crew module. Wire inspections are ongoing in
the Environmental Control and Life Support System bay.

Both right-hand and left-hand radiators have been installed
for flight. Bead blasting of Endeavour’s body flap area is
complete. Bead blasting is a process using a pressurized
pneumatic gun containing silica carbide, plastic pellets or
glass beads to remove primer, paint and corrosion from
orbiter vehicle surfaces.