KSC Space Shuttle Status Report, 18-12-2004

From: Jacques van Oene (oene0072_at_planet.nl)
Date: 12/17/04 

Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2004 00:52:51 +0100

Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(321) 867-6185
STATUS REPORT: S1-38

SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT

Due to the holidays, this will be the final Space Shuttle Processing
Status Report for 2004.

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.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/index.html

Discovery (OV-103)

Technicians continue to perform orbiter powered-system testing on
Discovery for its Return to Flight mission, designated STS-114, to
the International Space Station. Final closeouts and seal
installations continue on the Rudder Speed Brake.

The new Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) is scheduled to arrive at
Kennedy Space Center as early as next week. Once at KSC, it will be
taken to the Remote Manipulator System lab in the Vehicle Assembly
Building for final checkout and testing prior to moving over to the
Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) for installation into Discovery.
The 50-foot long OBSS will attach to the Remote Manipulator System,
or Shuttle arm, and is one of the new safety measures for Return to
Flight, equipping the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to
inspect the Shuttle's Thermal Protection System while in space.

Atlantis (OV-104)

In OPF Bay 1, processing is continuing to progress well for Atlantis'
mission to the International Space Station. The orbiter continues to
remain in a power-down period to complete the final wiring for the
Return to Flight modifications, including the new OBSS, wing leading
edge sensors and the External Tank separation camera. The vehicle is
scheduled to be powered up next week.

The body flap is scheduled to be installed on Atlantis early January.
The body flap actuators were removed and inspected prior to being
reinstalled on the vehicle. The fuel cells and external airlock are
scheduled to be installed following the holidays.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period,
which began in December 2003. Endeavour was rolled over to the
Vehicle Assembly Building yesterday for a temporary stay, clearing
OPF Bay 2 for a scheduled maintenance period. The orbiter is
scheduled to be rolled back into the bay on Jan. 12.

Both the right- and left-hand wing leading edges were painted
following the removal of miniscule corrosion on the wing. This
prepares the surface of the wing for the reinstallation of the
Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels.

-end- 

-- 
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info

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