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. 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
Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) - P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Aug. 27, 2006, 4:30 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
At Launch Pad 39B, hypergolic propellant loading is being completed today. Following a decision by Space Shuttle Program managers to remove and replace two Ku-band antenna actuator bolts in the forward section of the orbiter payload bay, workers are preparing access platforms and will complete the task over the weekend. The bolts will be replaced with longer versions to ensure adequate thread engagement. Ordnance installation is now scheduled for Sunday evening, pending completion of the bolt replacement.
Earlier this week, flight crew systems workers installed extravehicular maneuvering units in the crew cabin. The suits are worn by shuttle crew members for spacewalks.
In Houston, the STS-115 crew is completing its final prelaunch physicals and a final flight data file review today, before heading into quarantine this weekend for the Aug. 27 launch.
Mission: STS-116 - 20th International Space Station Flight (12A.1) - P5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: No earlier than Dec. 14, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick, Fuglesang and Williams
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Processing of Discovery for its next mission, STS-116, continues in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Window No. 7 was installed this week. The orbiter docking mechanism has been stowed for flight. Engineers determined this week that auxiliary power unit No. 3, which experienced a thermostat malfunction during STS-121, has an electrical short, and the unit will be replaced. X-rays of the main propulsion system check valves are complete, and preparations for the replacement of orbital maneuvering system thruster L5L are under way.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Powered-up system testing continues on Endeavour in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 2 following an extensive modification period. Leak checks of Freon coolant loop No. 2 are nearing completion. Workers continue to install wire harnesses on the remote manipulator system (shuttle arm) pedestals. Rigging of the pedestals is complete, and installation of the arm is scheduled for early September. The orbiter's point sensor box was installed. On the flight deck, functional testing of the pilot and commander seats was successfully completed.
