Space Shuttle Processing Status Report, 27-02-2004

Contact: Jessica Rye
Vol. 1 No. 1
(321) 867-2468



Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 (1:30 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.


Discovery (OV-103)



NASA's Space Flight Leadership Council meeting Feb. 19 and selected Space
Shuttle Discovery as the lead vehicle for Return to Flight and moved the
launch planning window to March 6 through April 18, 2005. Processing
continues for flight and implementation of Columbia Accident Investigation
Board recommendations and Return to Flight modifications.



During processing, technicians found minor corrosion on the Rudder Speed
Brake, as well as gears installed in reverse direction on one of the four
actuators. The four actuators were removed from the vehicle, and will be
X-rayed and undergo an engineering evaluation to determine further action.



Atlantis (OV-104)



Technicians in the Space Shuttle processing facility at Kennedy Space Center
continue to prepare Atlantis for future missions. All of Atlantis'
Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels were removed, shipped to the vendor
for inspection and thermography, and returned to KSC for installation on the
vehicle. All 22 left side wing leading edge panels have been re-installed.



Workers now will begin to installing the C-shaped T-seals that fit between
each RCC panel. Build-up of the right-hand RCC panels and associated
fittings begins next week.



Endeavour (OV-105)



Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which
began in December 2003. Technicians are installing cabling in the forward
area of the vehicle in preparation for installation later this year of its
new Multifunction Electronic Display System or "glass cockpit." RCC panels
continue to be removed from the vehicle and returned to the vendor for
inspection. Of the 44 panels on Endeavour, eight left-hand panels and nine
right-hand panels were removed.



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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info