NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 26 May 2006
Mission: STS-121 – 18th International Space Station Flight (ULF1.1) – Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Launch Processing Window July 1-19, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak, Wilson and Reiter
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Technicians continue performing system testing on Space Shuttle Discovery while the vehicle is powered at Launch Pad 39B. Auxiliary power units No. 1 and 3 connections and leak checks were completed, with No. 2 in progress.
The orbiter payloads were installed in Discovery’s payload bay on Wednesday. Discovery’s payloads include the Italian-built logistics module Leonardo, which will carry food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the International Space Station. Other payloads include two cargo carriers which contain heat shield tile samples, a spare pump module and a replacement mobile transporter reel assembly.
There is no significant holiday weekend work planned.
Mission: STS-115 – 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) – P3/P4 Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
Launch Date: No earlier than Aug. 28, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1, technicians are carrying out powered-up system testing on Atlantis for its mission to the International Space Station. Gaseous nitrogen leak checks are finished in the orbiter’s mid-body.
The remote manipulator system, or “shuttle arm,” was installed and functional testing has been completed. Workers also finished testing the manipulator positioning mechanisms, which are the pedestals that hold the arm in place in the payload bay during launch and landing.
On Wednesday, the crawler transporter moved mobile launcher platform No. 2 into high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building in preparation for stacking operations to begin for the STS-115 mission. The first solid rocket booster segment is scheduled to be lifted into the high bay next week.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Powered-up system testing continues on Endeavour in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 following an extensive modification period. Following external airlock installation, the team completed connector mates on Thursday and pick up with the docking system functional next week.
Main propulsion system leak and functional testing continues. Ku-band communications and radar system testing has begun and will be finished following the docking system functional being completed.
