NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 5 October 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-120 – 23rd International Space Station Flight – U.S. Node 2 (Harmony)
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 23, 2007
Crew: Melroy, Zamka, Parazynski, Wheelock, Wilson, Nespoli and Tani
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
On Sunday, STS-120 was transported via the crawler transporter to Launch Pad 39A. The rotating service structure, which protects and provides access to the orbiter at the pad, was rolled into position on Monday. During the week, workers performed shuttle interface testing, orbiter/external tank leak checks and launch pad validations. The payload was installed in the orbiter on Thursday, and the sensor packs were installed on the orbiter boom sensor system.
Loading of hypergolic propellants aboard Discovery is scheduled for this weekend. Next week, the terminal countdown demonstration test is scheduled with the STS-120 astronauts and the launch team. This routine series of events includes emergency training procedures and a launch countdown dress rehearsal.
After the hail monitoring system at the pad showed possible hail in the predawn hours of Wednesday, engineers fully inspected the space shuttle but found no damage. There were no radar indications of hail, though wind-driven rain may have been possible. The calibration of the hail monitoring system sensors and associated instrumentation is being assessed.
Mission: STS-122 – 24th International Space Station Flight – Columbus Module
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
Launch Date: Targeted for Dec. 6, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin and Walheim Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay No. 1, workers are installing the main engine heat shields. Engine integrated testing and mate operations are complete. Technicians have also completed checkout of the water spray boiler system. Functional checkout of the external tank doors is finished. Midbody closeout and inspection work continues, with final payload bay door closure scheduled for next week.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, processing continues on ET-125, the external fuel tank for the STS-122 mission, including repairs to the liquid oxygen feedline support bracket foam. In high bay No. 3, stacking of the solid rocket boosters is under way. The right forward center booster segment was lifted into the high bay Thursday, and the left forward center segment will be transferred to the assembly building and lifted to the stack today and Saturday.
Mission: STS-123 – 25th International Space Station Flight – Kibo, Dextre
Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2
Launch Date: Targeted for Feb. 14, 2008
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Gorie, Johnson, Linnehan, Doi, Behnken, Foreman and Reisman
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2, servicing of Freon coolant loop No. 1 is complete. Windows No. 3 and 4 were removed and replaced. Technicians continue inspecting the main propulsion system flow liners, feedlines and gimbal joints. The fuel cell single-cell voltage test is finished. Preparations for installation of BRI tile around the main landing gear doors are under way. The BRI tile is a stronger tile designed for critical areas on the orbiter. Work is in progress to configure Endeavour’s payload bay for the STS-123 hardware.
