Space Shuttle Processing Status 24 May 2001
MISSION: STS-104 – 10th ISS Flight (7A) – Airlock
VEHICLE: Atlantis/OV-104
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 3
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: NET June 20, 2001 at about 1:45 p.m. EDT
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 1, 2001
MISSION DURATION: 11 days
CREW: Lindsey, Hobaugh, Kavandi, Gernhardt, Reilly
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Orbiter Atlantis remains in OPF bay 3 today while
technicians continue tile-drying efforts. It is expected that Atlantis will
roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building no earlier than Tuesday, May 29.
As a result, the target launch date has been reset for no earlier than June
20.
In the OPF, engineers continue to evaluate orbiter Atlantis’ thermal
protection system while technicians use clusters of 200-300 watt heat lamps
to dry or “bake” about 600 Shuttle tiles. The orbiter was exposed to
significant rainfall while at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., following its
landing there in February, at the conclusion of mission STS-98.
At this time, the drying work is focused on the black tile located below the
leading edge of the orbiter’s right wing. Tile baking is also in work near
the left-hand main landing gear door. Engineers are evaluating the current
procedures to assure the tiles are in a safe and flight-ready condition. A
wet tile can freeze in orbit and possibly debond or separate from the
orbiter during reentry.
Payload Processing Note: The U.S. Airlock is currently at the pad in the
payload changeout room. Minimal work will be conducted through the time the
orbiter arrives at the pad on or about June 2. The airlock will be installed
into the orbiter’s payload bay once Atlantis is at the pad and final
closeouts for flight will commence. The date for the crew’s Terminal
Countdown Demonstration Test is under review.
MISSION: STS-105 – 11th ISS Flight (7A.1) – Leonardo MPLM
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103
LOCATION: OPF bay 2
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 12, 2001 at 5:22 a.m. EDT
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 23, 2001
MISSION DURATION: 11 days
CREW: Horowitz, Sturckow, Barry, Forrester; (ISS up) Culbertson, Dezhurov,
Turin; (ISS down) Usachev, Voss, Helms,
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Technicians have completed Discovery’s potable
water system servicing. Workers are currently checking the water spray
boilers. Engine heat shield installation is in work, along with
communication system checks.
Payload Processing Note: Experiment and supply rack installations continue
on the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) in the Space Station
Processing Facility.
MISSION: STS-108 – 12th ISS Flight (UF1) -Raffaello MPLM
VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Nov. 29, 2001
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Dec. 9, 2001
MISSION DURATION: 10 days
CREW: Gorie, Kelly, Godwin, Tani; (ISS up) Onufrienko, Bursch, Walz; (ISS
down) Culbertson, Dezhurov, Turin
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Forward reaction control system checks are ongoing,
and engine heat shield removal is in work. Technicians are preparing to
remove Endeavour’s three main engines this week.
MISSION: STS-109 – HST Servicing Mission 3B
VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 4
TARGET KSC LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Jan. 17, 2002
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Jan. 28, 2002
MISSION DURATION: TBD
CREW: Altman, Carey, Grunsfeld, Currie, Newman, Linnehan, Massimino
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 308 nautical miles/28.5 degrees
Shuttle Processing Note: Columbia was moved to the VAB transfer aisle early
this morning to accommodate external tank move operations. Columbia will
move into OPF bay 3 when Atlantis rolls over to the VAB.
