NASA's Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

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Nov. 16, 2007

George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: S-111607

NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT

Note: NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing 
Status Reports periodically and is the source for information 
regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and 
payloads.  If you are a member of the media and would like further 
information, visit:  
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/index.html  


Mission: STS-122 - 24th International Space Station Flight - Columbus 
Module 
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104) 
Location: Launch Pad 39A 
Launch Date: Targeted for Dec. 6, 2007 
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin, Walheim 
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles 

On Nov. 10, the STS-122 shuttle stack rolled from the Vehicle Assembly 
Building to Launch Pad 39A, where workers are performing closeout 
connections and system verification checks. Atlantis' payload, 
including the Columbus module, was installed in the orbiter cargo bay 
on Sunday. Hypergolic propellant, which powers the maneuvering 
systems on both the orbiter and the solid rocket boosters, has been 
loaded. The astronauts will arrive on Saturday for the three-day 
terminal countdown demonstration test. This is a countdown dress 
rehearsal and a training exercise for the flight crew. It will 
conclude on Nov. 20 with the astronauts on the flight deck of 
Atlantis. They will be participating in the last three hours of the 
simulated countdown while working with the launch team located in 
Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center.

An issue with one of the helium isolation valves in Atlantis' forward 
reaction control system was discovered during hypergolic loading on 
Wednesday. The valve remains open even when it is commanded to shut. 
Open is the normal flight position during a mission. Technicians will 
continue to evaluate the issue during the weekend. Space Shuttle 
Program manager Wayne Hale told media during a news conference Friday 
that engineers will either be able to fix the problem or rely on the 
system's redundancy and high reliability components and fly as is. 


Mission: STS-123 - 25th International Space Station Flight - Kibo, 
Dextre 
Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105) 
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2 
Launch Date: Targeted for Feb. 14, 2008 
Launch Pad: 39A 
Crew: Gorie, Johnson, Linnehan, Doi, Behnken, Foreman, Reisman
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles 

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2, the three main engines have 
been installed on Endeavour and integrated testing with the main 
propulsion system begins today. Functional testing of the waste 
containment system is complete. Payload pre-mate testing has 
finished. The orbiter boom sensor system, which was recently removed 
from Discovery, arrived this week in the facility's bay No. 2. The 
system has undergone post-flight inspections and thermal blanket 
installation, and is being temporarily installed today to allow for 
fit checks. This week, technicians began working to bond BRI tiles 
around the main landing gear door. The rudder speed brake has been 
configured for flight and the orbiter drag chute is installed. 


Mission: STS-124 - 26th International Space Station Flight - Kibo 
Pressurized Module, Japanese Remote Manipulator System 
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103) 
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 
Launch Date: Targeted for April 24, 2008 
Launch Pad: 39A 
Crew: Kelly, Ham, Nyberg, Garan, Fossum, Hoshide 
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles 

In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, the 
end-of-mission/integrated roll-in operations are complete. The 
payload bay doors were opened last weekend and the Ku-band antenna 
was deployed. Orbiter power system validations and radiator 
inspections have finished. The orbiter boom sensor system was removed 
and transferred to bay No. 2 for installation in Endeavour. 
Inspections of the reinforced carbon-carbon panels on the wing 
leading edges are under way. The external airlock hatch functional 
test is complete. Preparations are in progress for offloading 
hypergolic fuel. Post-flight inspection of the thermal protection 
system is halfway complete.

	
-end-



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