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
Last weekend, engineers and technicians successfully resolved an issue with a stuck valve in Atlantis' forward reaction control system, isolating the problem to a broken ground lug in the helium isolation valve circuit. Repairs were made and the valve is now functioning normally. Throughout the week, workers continued to validate shuttle/pad connections, and orbiter aft closeout work begins Nov. 28. Because no major issues are being worked and processing has been going well, teams will have Thanksgiving Day through Sunday off.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, the STS-122 crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center for the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which included a countdown dress rehearsal and a training exercise. The crew returned to NASA's Johnson Space Center Tuesday following the TCDT's successful conclusion.
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, integrated testing of the main engines and the main propulsion system continues. Testing of the orbiter's three-string GPS system, which provides guidance on re-entry, is complete.
The star tracker door functional test is complete. Window No. 7 has been removed and replaced. The payload bay door functional test is finished. Installation of BRI tile around the perimeter of the right main landing gear door is finished. Checkout of the Shuttle to Station Power Transfer System is complete.
In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, stacking of the left solid rocket booster is under way. Stacking of the right booster is scheduled to begin next week.
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, hypergolic fuel has been off-loaded from the orbital maneuvering system. Inspections of the reinforced carbon-carbon panels on the wing leading edges are complete. The main engine dome heat shields have been removed, and preparations are under way for removal of the three main engines next week. Functional checkout of the forward reaction control system is in progress, and window No. 1 has been removed and replaced. Post-flight inspection of the thermal protection system is 70 percent complete.
