NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 20 April 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 and Olivas
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians and engineers continue repairing foam on the hail-damaged STS-117 external fuel tank, ET-124. The poured foam repairs are nearly complete, and technicians are trimming and sanding repair sites. Spray foam repairs are scheduled to begin next week. Due to the amount of tank repair work remaining, the rollout of Atlantis to the launch pad is now scheduled for May 12. This six-day change should not affect the June 8 target launch date.
Preparations are complete for the removal of Atlantis’ three main engines to inspect for flow liner contamination. Engine removal is scheduled to begin next week. This work can be accomplished within the time frame of the tank repair.
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 Anderson
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Two of the three orbiter main engines have been inspected and reinstalled. All three engines were removed last week to allow for flow liner contaminant inspections. No RepliSet contamination was found in any of the flow liners. The orbiter boom sensor system, which was removed for mechanical repairs on the boom pedestals, was reinstalled this week. The system and the shuttle arm will be deployed today, and technicians will begin installing the sensor packs in the boom. The nose landing gear wheel/tire assembly was installed this week, and the steering and brake tests are complete.
ET-117, the external fuel tank to be used for STS-118, is scheduled to be transported from the barge in the turn basin to the Vehicle Assembly Building on April 30. The tank will then be lifted into a checkout cell in high bay No. 2 West for processing.
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, water spray boiler system servicing and checkout continues. Wire tray closeouts in the midbody are ongoing and cargo bay closeouts are under way. The forward reaction control system will be delivered to the facility’s bay No. 3 today and installed next week. Functional testing on all three fuel cells is complete. Inspections of the main propulsion system flow liners are finished.
