Space Shuttle Processing Status Report, 26-03-2004

Contact: Jessica Rye
Vol. 1 No. 5
(321) 867-6185

Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

Friday, March 26, 2004 (2 p.m.)

Note: NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing Status
Reports each week, and is the source for information regarding processing
activities associated with the vehicles and payloads. This report does not
necessarily reflect the chronological order of future Space Shuttle
missions. If you are a member of the media and would like further
information, visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao.htm



The Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center (KSC) in Florida. Every week, NASA will issue the latest information
about Space Shuttle processing and payloads in a status report. The order of
the Space Shuttles in this report do not necessarily reflect the
chronological order of future Space Shuttle missions.

Discovery (OV-103)

Discovery continues its two week power down period for orbiter electrical
wiring inspections. It's scheduled to be powered up Tuesday, March 30. While
the Rudder Speed Brake panels are removed from the vehicle, workers perform
fastener replacement in preparation for reinstallation on the vehicle.


Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panel installation is continuing with three
left-hand panels hung. Build-up of the left-hand panels and associated
fittings is ongoing. Following a successful fit check, technicians continue
to assemble the Thermal Protection System blankets that will be installed
inside of Discovery's nose cap.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Technicians continue to process Atlantis for its future mission to the
International Space Station. Flex hose X-rays and inspections are complete
and engineers are evaluating the results.

Fifteen T-seals, the C-shaped seals that fit between each RCC panel, have
been installed on the left-hand wing leading edge. Right-hand RCC panel
measurements are complete with panel assembly in progress.

On Thursday, March 25 the nose cap was returned to the Orbiter Processing
Facility. The nose cap had been located in the Thermal Protection System
Facility so technicians could build up the thermal protection blankets that
are installed inside the nose cap.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which
began in December 2003.

All of Endeavour's RCC panels have been removed from the right-hand and
left-hand leading edge of the wings. Preparations are being made to ship the
panels back to the vendor. Once the panels are removed they undergo
thermography and other non-destructive evaluation techniques to verify they
have no internal flaws.

-end-



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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info