STS-125 Mission Update – April 28 2009

On NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A, radiator dents, caused by a falling socket in Atlantis’ payload bay during payload installation operations last week, were photographed yesterday and a crack was observed. During an inspection last week, personnel noted a crease, but did not observe a crack in the dented radiator panel. Managers and engineers are reviewing the data and evaluating the repair options that may include adding a doubler or stop drilling to prevent the crack from spreading. Any repair necessary is not expected to delay the targeted May 11 launch.

The STS-125 crew is at Kennedy today to conduct a payload walkdown at the pad. Commander Scott Altman and Pilot Gregory C. Johnson will practice landing procedures in Shuttle Training Aircraft this evening before returning to NASA’s Johnson Space Center.