Space Shuttle Processing Status, 30-04-2004

Contact: Jessica Rye
Vol. 1 No. 10
(321) 867-6185

Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

Friday, April 30, 2004 (2:30 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

Discovery (OV-103)

Processing work continues in the Orbiter Processing Facility to prepare
Discovery for the Return to Flight mission, STS-114, to the International
Space Station. Vehicle power-up work continues with Ku-band communications
and radar system testing. Following installation of the four new Rudder
Speed Brake (RSB) actuators, RSB panel installation is scheduled to begin
late next week.

Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) build-up of panels and associated fittings is
ongoing. Twenty left-hand and 14 right-hand spar fittings are installed.
Spar fittings are a series of mechanical joints that attach the RCC panel to
the wing. Discovery's nose cap was installed April 23, and the Ground
Support Equipment was removed Wednesday.


Atlantis (OV-104)

Atlantis continues its power-up period in support of mission processing to
prepare the vehicle for its future flight to the International Space
Station. Technicians began work in preparation for airlock removal. RSB
panel removal is scheduled to begin as early as this weekend, followed by
actuator removal early next week.

Thermography has been performed on Atlantis' nose cap, and Thermal
Protection System blanket installation is continuing. Build-up of the panels
and associated fittings is ongoing, with 22 left-hand

T-seals completed and 20 installed on the vehicle.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which
began in December. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module in
support of the Multi-functional Electrical Display System (MEDS), or "glass
cockpit" upgrade. Endeavour is the final vehicle to receive the MEDS
upgrade.

Now that all of the 44 RCC panels and associated fittings have been removed
from the vehicle, preparations are underway for bead blasting the wing
leading edge of Endeavour.



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---------------------------

Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info

What exactly is the bead blasting, and what purpose does it have?

Curious.

Brian

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Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
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In article ,
"Brian Gaff" wrote:

What exactly is the bead blasting, and what purpose does it have?

Curious.

Brian


Bead blasting is a finishing process whereby small (usually glass) beads
are literally blasted by gas pressure against the material being
finished. It is often done to clean the surface and remove light
corrosion.

--
Herb Schaltegger, B.S., J.D.
Reformed Aerospace Engineer
Columbia Loss FAQ:
http://www.io.com/~o_m/columbia_loss_faq_x.html

Herb Schaltegger writes:

Bead blasting is a finishing process whereby small (usually glass) beads
are literally blasted by gas pressure against the material being
finished. It is often done to clean the surface and remove light
corrosion.

In the non-aerospace world, this is commonly referred to as "sand
blasting", because sand is a common blasting media.

Jeff
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Remove "no" and "spam" from email address to reply.
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In article ,
jeff findley wrote:

Herb Schaltegger writes:

Bead blasting is a finishing process whereby small (usually glass) beads
are literally blasted by gas pressure against the material being
finished. It is often done to clean the surface and remove light
corrosion.

In the non-aerospace world, this is commonly referred to as "sand
blasting", because sand is a common blasting media.

Jeff

Sure; but I've also seen "bead blasting" used in the context of surface
finishing firearms parts, as well.

--
Herb Schaltegger, B.S., J.D.
Reformed Aerospace Engineer
Columbia Loss FAQ:
http://www.io.com/~o_m/columbia_loss_faq_x.html

jeff findley wrote:

Herb Schaltegger writes:

Bead blasting is a finishing process whereby small (usually glass) beads
are literally blasted by gas pressure against the material being
finished. It is often done to clean the surface and remove light
corrosion.

In the non-aerospace world, this is commonly referred to as "sand
blasting", because sand is a common blasting media.

Your statement is only correct for the layman.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

On 03 May 2004 13:50:53 -0400, jeff findley wrote:

Herb Schaltegger writes:

Bead blasting is a finishing process whereby small (usually glass) beads
are literally blasted by gas pressure against the material being
finished. It is often done to clean the surface and remove light
corrosion.

In the non-aerospace world, this is commonly referred to as "sand
blasting", because sand is a common blasting media.

They may use the same equipment, but sandblasting is very abrasive.
Beadblasting (due to the smooth, round shape of the media) doesn't
leave a rough, pitted surface. I don't think you'd want to sandblast the
RCC!

Dale

(Derek Lyons) writes:

jeff findley wrote:
In the non-aerospace world, this is commonly referred to as "sand
blasting", because sand is a common blasting media.

Your statement is only correct for the layman.

I agree. Let me refine this a bit.

Bead blasting is similar to sand blasting, only you replace the rough
sand with much smoother beads.

Jeff
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If it says "This is not spam!", it's surely a lie.