The Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. The order the Space Shuttles are listed in this report does not necessarily reflect the chronological order of future missions.
Discovery (OV-103)
Discovery is making significant progress for its Return to Flight mission to the International Space Station planned for next March. Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Charley last week, workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility prepared Discovery for the impending storm by closing the payload bay doors and powering down the vehicle.
On Sunday, technicians reinstated power to the orbiter and resumed normal processing activities. Both Freon coolant loops No. 1 and 2 are ready for flight, following servicing and successful leak checks. The Space Shuttle commander and pilot seats are mounted for the mission, and technicians are currently installing the seat harnesses.
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. Preparations for Rudder Speed Brake actuator and panel installations continue.
Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panel installation continues with 14 right-hand panels and 21 spar fittings installed. A spar fitting is the floating joint that mechanically attaches the RCC panel to the orbiter’s wing leading edge. Technicians continue to install Thermal Protection System blankets in the nose cap, with installation of the nose cap scheduled for early next week.
Endeavour(OV-105)
Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which began in December.