Contact: Jessica Rye Vol. 1 No. 7
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Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
Friday, April 9, 2004 (3:30 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)
Technicians continue to prepare Discovery for its Return to Flight mission to the International Space Station. The left-hand Orbiter Maneuvering System pod was moved from the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF) to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) on Monday for installation on the vehicle.
Build-up of left-hand Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels and associated fittings is ongoing with 16 left-hand spar fittings installed on the vehicle. Thermal Protection System blanket installation is in work inside of Discovery’s nose cap in the low bay area outside of the Orbiter Processing Facility. Thermography has been performed on 43 of the 44 panels, with nose cap thermography scheduled for next week.
Atlantis (OV-104)
Processing work continues in the OPF as technicians prepare Atlantis for its future flight to the International Space Station. Technicians continue steps toward removal of the rudder speed brake actuators.
All of Atlantis’ 44 RCC panels have been received at Kennedy Space Center, and all 22 panels have been hung on the left-hand wing. Sixteen left-hand T-seals, the C-shaped seals that fit between each panel, have been installed. Build-up of right-hand RCC panels and associated fittings is ongoing. Nose cap thermography is complete.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which began in December 2003.
The Orbiter Maneuvering System left-hand pod was transferred from the OPF to the HMF, where it will undergo routine inspections and maintenance.
Rudder Speed Brake panel removal began yesterday, with the actuators scheduled to be removed as early as Monday. RCC thermography continues with only eight of the 44 panels remaining.
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