KSC Shuttle Status Report, 09-05-2005

Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington May 9, 2005
(Phone: 202/358-4769)

Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT: S05-017

NASA's Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at Kennedy Space
Center (KSC), Fla.

Mission: STS-114 - 17th ISS Flight (LF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Launch Planning Window July 13 - 31, 2005
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Collins, Kelly, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Lawrence and Camarda
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Following Space Shuttle Program management discussions, a plan was laid out
reflecting how the program will move toward the STS-114 Return to Flight
launch.

Preparations are under way for a tanking test no earlier than the week of
May 15 to continue troubleshooting two issues that arose during a tanking
test on April 14. Engineers are evaluating the liquid hydrogen sensors in
the tank that gave intermittent readings during last month's test. These
sensors serve as fuel gauges to notify the Space Shuttle Main Engines to
shut down when propellants reach a certain level in the tank. This is
critical in the safe operation of the main engines. Engineers are continuing
to evaluate a liquid hydrogen pressurization relief valve that cycled more
times during the tanking test than is standard. This valve opens and closes
to ensure the liquid hydrogen stays at the correct temperature.

Following the tanking test, technicians will begin preparations for rolling
Space Shuttle Discovery back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once in
the VAB, Discovery most likely will be destacked from its External Tank (ET)
and lowered into the transfer aisle. This will be the eighth destacking in
the program's history following a rollback.

In parallel, the ET (ET-121) and Solid Rocket Boosters scheduled to fly with
orbiter Atlantis on mission STS-121, is being prepared to fly with Discovery
on mission STS-114. The preparation of ET-121 is in the VAB's checkout cell.
A new heater will be added to the feedline bellows to minimize the potential
for ice and frost buildup. This heater modification will be installed over
the next 24 days. Once Discovery returns to the pad, another tanking test
may be performed to test the new modifications.

Mission: STS-121 - 18th ISS Flight (ULF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
Launch Date: Lighted Launch Planning Window September 9 - 24, 2005
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak and Wilson
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Processing continues on Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 for
its mission, designated STS-121, to the International Space Station. Vehicle
power-up testing is about 70 percent complete. Closeouts continue in the
forward and aft areas of the orbiter.

A new Thermal Protection System seal has been added in the nose and main
landing gear. Hydraulics were powered up, and preparation continues for a
scheduled landing gear functional test. Servicing of the potable water
system is finished.

Port and starboard Manipulator Positioning Mechanisms were successfully
cycled from full stow to full deploy. These are the pedestals that hold the
Remote Manipulator System, or Shuttle robotic arm, and the Orbiter Boom
Sensor System in the payload bay. Rudder Speed Brake Thermal Protection
System tile and blanket installation continues. Atlantis will likely fly
with ET-119. The ET is scheduled to arrive from the Michoud Assembly
Facility in New Orleans next month. Stacking of the Solid Rocket Boosters is
complete in high bay 1, and the joint closeouts are under way.

Previous Space Shuttle processing status reports are available on the
Internet at:

http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight

-end-


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info