NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 5 January 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: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
Launch Date: No earlier than March 16, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Sturckow, Archambault, Reilly, Swanson, Forrester and Olivas
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Technicians powered down orbiter Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 prior to the holidays. Over the holiday period, thermal protection system waterproofing was completed. Final system testing and processing continues in preparation for the vehicle’s roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building, scheduled for Feb. 7.

The external tank scheduled to fly with Atlantis, designated ET-124, arrived at Kennedy Space Center from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans prior to the holidays. On Dec. 28, the barge brought the tank to the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 area, and the tank was offloaded into the Vehicle Assembly Building. The next day, the tank was lifted into the checkout cell for final processing prior to being mated to the solid rocket boosters in high bay 1, scheduled for Jan. 19.

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: No earlier than June 28, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Hobaugh, Williams, Morgan, Mastracchio, Caldwell and Anderson
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Endeavour remains in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2, and technicians continue preparing the vehicle for its first launch in nearly five years. The vehicle has undergone an extensive modification period, including the addition of all of the return-to-flight safety modifications added to both Discovery and Atlantis.

The payload bay doors were closed for the holiday period and were reopened on Thursday. Technicians continue checkout and servicing of the water spray boiler system. Auxiliary power unit and main propulsion system leak and functional testing is complete. The Ku-band antenna was deployed Thursday. Preparations are under way for left-hand orbiter maneuvering system pod installation, scheduled for Tuesday.