NASA NEWS
Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
Contact: Jessica Rye Vol. 1 No. 20
(321) 867-6185
Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
Friday, July 9, 2004 (10:00 a.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 in the Orbiter Processing Facility continue work on Discovery prior to the vehicle coming out of its scheduled power-down period for its Return to Flight mission, STS-114, to the International Space Station. Following the replacement of the Rudder Speed Brake actuators on Discovery, all four panels are reinstalled. Now workers are rigging the lower panels for a standard optics shoot. This test ensures that the panels are reinstalled properly and will function correctly during the mission.
Dome Heat Shield No. 1 is removed, while DHS No. 2 installation for fit check is complete. The DHS comprises two semi-circle sections of Thermal Protection System tile mounted on an aluminum structure that are installed to make a ring around each of the three Space Shuttle Main Engines.
Atlantis (OV-104)
Atlantis continues to be processed in the Orbiter Processing Facility for its future mission to the International Space Station. The vehicle remains in a scheduled four-month power-down period in which Return to Flight modifications are progressing well.
On the right-hand wing leading edge, 13 spar fittings are installed. The Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels are mechanically attached to the wing with spar fittings, which are a series of floating joints that reduce stress on the panels when the Shuttles are in flight. Chin panel installation is continuing. The chin panel is the smile-shaped section of RCC that is installed directly below the nose cap to provide a thermal barrier during re-entry.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which began last December. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module. The fit check of the nose cap is scheduled for today. External Tank door and DHS tile bonds continue. Flex hose inspections have begun in the aft of the vehicle.
Right-hand wing leading edge bead blasting is complete. Bead blasting is a process using a pressurized pneumatic gun containing silica carbide, plastic pellets or glass beads to remove primer, paint and corrosion from orbiter vehicle surfaces.
-end-
<<07.09 Status Report.doc>>
The Kennedy Space Center Newsroom offers an electronic subscription service for status reports, news releases and other notices issued from KSC. There are two possible ways to subscribe. You may send a blank e-mail message to ksc-news_release-subscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov or follow the instructions on the Web site at http://HYPERLINK "http://kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov/" kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov. The system will confirm the request via e-mail.
Attachment:
07.09 Status Report.doc
Description: 07.09 Status Report.doc
------------------------------------------------------------- For automatic email subscriptions to this KSC originated press releases, send an Internet electronic mail message to mailto:ksc-news_release-subscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov. With no subject or message. The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription. To remove your name from the list at any time, send an email addressed to mailto:ksc-news_release-unsubscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov . With no subject or message. or you can (un)subscribe on the World Wide Web at: http://kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov/ Status reports and other NASA publications are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/kscpao.htm .
