OM spotted this from his hospital bed (they are now shooting for a
Tuesday release of him from the hospital):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5363
"Already classed as baselined is 'Fiducial Markings on Nose Cap RCC',
markings that will appear as a cross on the nose cap of Atlantis. This
will enable more accurate and expeditious coordinate location
identification for inspection and damage assessment activities.
This is an element associated with the inspections of the vehicle by the
Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) - which will hold more responsibility
for checking for any ascent related damage, given the lack of the RPM
(Rbar Pitch Maneuver) due to the non-involvement of the ISS on this mission.
'Implements fiducial markings to facilitate on-orbit imagery X-Y-Z
coordinate location to allow for more efficient damage assessment during
the mission,' noted one of the numerous mission baseline presentations.
'Permanent reference marks will be added using Black Sharpie marker at
14 original Shuttle Entry Air Data System (SEADS) locations on nose cap.
Reduces 'uncertainty' from ~5'' without marks to ~0.5-1.0''.' "
Who's willing to bet that this modification ends up costing tens of
thousands of dollars?
Pat