NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 4 January 2008
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-122 – 24th International Space Station Flight – Columbus Module
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: Under Review
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin, Walheim
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Shuttle Program managers requested Thursday that flight control teams and ground operations teams protect for a Jan. 24 launch date. As work progresses, that date will be modified as required. Other launch opportunities could come between Jan. 24 and the first week of February.
At Launch Pad 39A, preparations began for modifications to the engine cutoff (ECO) sensors. New external connectors and feed-through assemblies will arrive at KSC Jan. 5-6. Change out is expected to be completed by Jan. 10. Testing of the faulty ECO sensor continues at Marshall Space Flight Center with cryo testing planned next week.
Troubleshooting on the ascent thrust vector control (ATVC) was performed Jan. 3, and the ATVC will be removed, replaced, and then retested over the weekend.
Mission: STS-123 – 25th International Space Station Flight – Kibo, Dextre
Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2
Launch Date: Under Review
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Gorie, Johnson, Linnehan, Doi, Behnken, Foreman, Reisman
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Shuttle Program managers have authorized work to begin to remove the foam on the feed-through connector on Endeavour’s tank prior to the STS-123 mission. Due to a five-week planning template used in scheduling back-to-back launches off a single pad, STS-123 will not launch on Feb. 14. The launch date will be updated consistent with the progress on STS-122.
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2, payload bay door strong backs were installed Jan. 3 while main landing gear and nose gear were retracted in support of positive pressure structural leak checks and TPS work. A landing gear functional test is scheduled for today.
In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, booster closeouts are completed and the boosters are ready to support mate when directed.
Mission: STS-124 – 26th International Space Station Flight – Kibo Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for April 24, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, the shuttle’s payload bay doors are open. The Ku-band antenna was deployed Jan. 2. The fuel cell single-cell voltage test is scheduled for today. Window No. 7 purge barrier installation was performed Jan. 3. Radiator repairs will continue Saturday and Sunday.
