Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 23 July 2004

The Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. The order the Space Shuttles are listed in this report does not necessarily reflect the chronological order of future missions.

Discovery (OV-103)

As early as next week, Discovery will be powered up
following an extensive power-down period in which
modifications associated with Return to Flight were
performed. During this period, technicians installed wiring
that will support the orbiter-boom sensor system that will
be used to inspect the Shuttle, the wire harness to support
the new External Tank cameras and prepared for installing
the new wing leading-edge sensors.

In the Orbiter Processing Facility, Discovery’s right-hand
Orbital Maneuvering System pod has undergone final
inspections and has been installed for flight.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Technicians continue to process Atlantis for its future
mission to the International Space Station. The vehicle
remains in a scheduled four-month power-down period. Return
to Flight and wire modifications are progressing well. Body
flap actuators have been removed and quality control is
performing post-removal inspections.

Wing leading-edge work continues with four right-hand
Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels hung and 17 spar fittings
installed. The spar fittings, which are a series of
floating joints that reduce stress on the panels when the
Shuttles are in flight, mechanically attach the RCC panels
to the wing.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major
Modification period, which began last December. Electrical
modifications continue in the crew module. Technicians are
working on installing the new Multi-functional Electronics
Display System, or “glass cockpit.” Endeavour is the last
vehicle to have the new display system installed.

Wire routing and flight deck preparations are progressing
for the three-string Global Positioning System. Build-up of
the chin panel, the smile-shaped section of RCC that fits
directly below the nose cap to provide a thermal barrier
during reentry, is progressing.