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)
As Discovery continues to be processed for its launch planning window of May 12 to June 3, 2005, technicians are progressing with important orbiter power-up system testing. This testing is required prior to the vehicle rolling over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once in the VAB, the orbiter will be mated to its twin Solid Rocket Boosters and External Tank.
Checkout of the new Multi-functional Electronic Display System, or “glass cockpit,” was successfully completed. Orbiter drag chute door instrumentation testing is complete. Closeout inspections and photos of the drag chute door continue. Main landing gear tire pressure strain gauge installation and monitoring system checkout are complete.
Atlantis (OV-104)
Final power-down work continues in the Orbiter Processing Facility prior to Atlantis’ scheduled power up the week of Nov. 15. During the power-down period, technicians performed the Return to Flight modifications, that included wiring installation for the External Tank separation camera, wing leading edge sensors and relay units and the Orbiter Boom Sensor System.
Freon coolant loop servicing continues. Freon is scheduled to be added to the loop today. Leak checks were successfully completed on Water Spray Boiler No. 3 and it has been reinstalled on the vehicle. Each Water Spray Boiler cools a corresponding Auxiliary Power Unit’s lube oil system and hydraulic system by spraying water on its lines.Thermal Protection System blanket installation continues in the payload bay.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, that began in December 2003. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module. Three-String Global Positioning System wire routing in the avionics bay and flight deck continues.
Installation of the left outboard elevon is underway. Left- and right-hand forward payload bay doors No. 1 and 2 closeout inspections continue. Orbiter electrical wire harness and connector closeouts are progressing well.
Previous Space Shuttle processing status reports are available on the Internet at:
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/status.htm
For information about NASA’s Return to Flight efforts on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/returntoflight.html