Space Forum / Shuttle / July 2004

Contact:  Jessica Rye
Vol. 1   No. 22
         (321) 867-6185

Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

Friday, July 23, 2004 (4:30 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.  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)

As early as next week, Discovery will be powered up following an extensive
power-down period in which modifications associated with Return to Flight
were performed. During this period, technicians installed wiring that will
support the orbiter boom sensor system that will be used to inspect the
Shuttle, the wire harness to support the new External Tank cameras and
prepared for installing the new wing leading edge sensors.

In the Orbiter Processing Facility, Discovery's right-hand Orbital
Maneuvering System pod has undergone final inspections and has been
installed for flight.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Technicians continue to process Atlantis for its future mission to the
International Space Station. The vehicle remains in a scheduled four-month
power-down period. Return to Flight and wire modifications are progressing
well. Body flap actuators have been removed and quality control is
performing post-removal inspections.

Wing leading edge work continues with four right-hand Reinforced
Carbon-Carbon panels hung and 17 spar fittings installed. The spar fittings,
which are a series of floating joints that reduce stress on the panels when
the Shuttles are in flight, mechanically attach the RCC panels to the wing.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which
began last December. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module.
Technicians are working on installing the new Multi-functional Electronics
Display System, or "glass cockpit." Endeavour is the last vehicle to have
the new display system installed.

Wire routing and flight deck preparations are progressing for the
three-string Global Positioning System. Build-up of the chin panel, the
smile-shaped section of RCC that fits directly below the nose cap to provide
a thermal barrier during reentry, is progressing.

-end-

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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info