Space Shuttle Processing Status Report, 08-10-2004

Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

Contact: Jessica Rye
Vol. 1 No. 30
(321) 867-6185

Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 (3:00 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 continues in the Orbiter Processing Facility for Discovery's
Return to Flight mission. Top NASA management met on Oct. 1 and determined
the March/April target launch window for Return to Flight is no longer
achievable due to the impacts of the hurricane season on numerous Centers.
The council directed the Space Shuttle Program to assess how it would meet
milestones for the next available launch window, which opens May 14, 2005.
The Shuttle program will present its analysis at a late October leadership
council meeting.

Throughout the week, significant progress was made on orbiter system
testing. Technicians continue to bond the new wing leading edge sensors on
the interior of the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels. Optics tests
continue with the alignment of the Manipulator Positioning Mechanisms in
preparation for the Remote Manipulator System, or Space Shuttle arm, to be
installed.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Atlantis is in a four-month power-down period, and the critical path wiring
inspections and Return to Flight electrical modifications continue on
schedule. Structural and wire inspections are ongoing throughout the
vehicle.



All right-hand radiators have been installed, with work beginning on the
left-hand radiators next week. Right-hand spar fittings have all been
installed, with the full complement of 22 RCC panels hung on the vehicle.
The left-hand wing leading edge is complete, including the T-seals, which
are installed between each panel.


Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which
began in December. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module.
Three-String Global Positioning System wire routing in the avionics bay and
flight deck continues.

Right- and left-hand wing leading edge corrosion cleanup continues. Once the
RCC panels and associated fittings were removed, technicians began to bead
blast the wing leading edge of Endeavour to ensure there was no corrosion.
The edge will be painted prior to the reinstallation of RCC panels for
flight. While the panels are removed, they are undergoing extensive
non-destructive testing including flash thermography and X-rays.



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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info