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-118 - 22nd International Space Station Flight (13A.1) - S5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Endeavour (OV-105) Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2
Launch Date: Targeted for Aug. 7, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Hobaugh, Williams, Morgan, Mastracchio, Caldwell and Drew
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
On Monday morning, Endeavour rolled from Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building. On Tuesday, the orbiter was transferred via crane from the VAB transfer aisle to high bay No. 1 and attached to the external fuel tank/solid rocket booster stack. Mating and launch processing operations are under way in preparation for a rollout to Launch Pad 39A, which is currently targeted for no earlier than July 10.
The STS-118 payload will be transferred to Launch Pad 39A early Saturday, weather permitting.
Mission: STS-120 - 23rd International Space Station Flight (10A) - U.S. Node 2
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: Targeted for Oct. 20, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Melroy, Zamka, Parazynski, Wheelock, Wilson, Nespoli and Tani
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 3, aft closeout work continues. The orbiter boom sensor system, which is the 50-foot robotic arm extension, was delivered to the bay this week and is being installed today. Floodlight electronic assemblies No. 1 and 2 were installed and mated this week. These units control the lights in the payload bay. Testing of the auxiliary power units is complete, along with testing of the external tank doors for proper closure and fit.
Mission: STS-122 - 24th International Space Station Flight (1E) - Columbus Module
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
Launch Date: Targeted for Dec. 6, 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Frick, Poindexter, Schlegel, Eyharts, Love, Melvin and Walheim Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Atlantis returned to Kennedy Space Center from the Dryden Flight Research Center landing site on Tuesday at 8:24 a.m. aboard the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747 airplane. The orbiter was demated from the aircraft and towed to Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1, arriving just after 5 p.m. on Wednesday following several weather delays. Operations are under way to remove the tail cone, which was installed for protection during the ferry flight. Window inspections are complete and soft covers have been installed. Workers are inspecting the orbiter's thermal protection system, including the wing leading edge reinforced carbon-carbon panels, as well as the chin panel and nose cap.
