Space Shuttle Processing Status 13 Nov 2002

MISSION: STS-113 – 16th ISS Flight (11A) – P1 Truss Segment

• VEHICLE: ENDEAVOUR/OV-105
• TARGET LAUNCH DATE: Nov. 18, 2002 NET
• TARGET LAUNCH TIME: 7 – 11 p.m.
• TARGET LANDING DATE: Nov. 29, 2002 NET
• MISSION DURATION: 11 days
• SHUTTLE CREW: Wetherbee, Lockhart, Lopez-Alegria, Herrington
• ISS CREW UP: Bowersox, Budarin, Pettit
• ISS CREW DOWN: Korzun, Whitson, Treschev
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE AND INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles /51.6 degrees

Shuttle Processing Note: During inspections conducted yesterday, an oxygen
flex hose fitting was identified as the source of an oxygen leak in
Endeavour’s mid-body. The leak was identified using helium detectors and
also could be felt by hand. Visual inspection found a deformity in the flex
line braid where it connects to rigid tubing. The entire flex hose assembly
and bulkhead fitting were removed early today, and work is underway to
complete the installation of a replacement.

Tuesday, while work platforms were being installed to gain access to repair
the oxygen leak in Endeavour’s mid-body, a platform scuffed the robotic arm,
or RMS, that is latched along the left-hand edge of Endeavour’s cargo bay.
The scuff tore a surface insulating blanket on the exterior of the arm and
left a scrape on the surface of the arm’s honeycomb shell. An evaluation is
underway to determine if there is any damage that could affect operation of
the arm during STS-113. The RMS is planned to be used during the STS-113
mission to assist with the installation of the Shuttle’s primary cargo, a
portside International Space Station truss segment. The evaluation includes
ultrasonic checks to ensure that no internal components of the arm have been
damaged. Results from the checks are expected later this week.