NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 22 November 2006

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-116 – 20th International Space Station Flight (12A.1) – P5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: No earlier than Dec. 7, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick, Fuglesang and Williams
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

This week at Launch Pad 39B, technicians completed prelaunch propellant servicing in preparation for Space Shuttle Discovery’s launch to the International Space Station, set for no earlier than Dec. 7. This servicing includes loading the fuel (monomethyl hydrazine) and oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide) into the orbital maneuvering system and the forward reaction control system. It also includes loading hydrazine in the solid rocket boosters and the auxiliary power units on the orbiter.

Space shuttle main engine ball seal leak checks were completed today. Crew cabin and SPACEHAB leak checks are planned for Sunday.

On Nov. 28 and 29, NASA managers will hold the traditional Flight Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center. The review is a two-day assessment of preparations for Discovery’s mission and is designed to produce a number of key decisions about the assembly flight, including selection of an official launch date.

If the decision is made to proceed for the opening of the launch window, the seven-member crew will arrive for launch at the Shuttle Landing Facility the afternoon of Dec. 3.