Atlantis Ready For Launch; Endeavour, Discovery In The
Wings
Officials with NASA updated ANN this week on the status of
the equipment slated to fly the next three shuttle missions to the
International Space Station... Ed.
Mission: STS-117 - 21st International Space Station
Flight (13A)
S3/S4 Truss Segment Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39A
Launch Date: June 8, 2007
Crew: Sturckow, Archambault, Reilly, Swanson, Forrester, Olivas and
Anderson Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical
miles
At the Launch Readiness Review meeting this week, Space Shuttle
Program managers officially set the STS-117 launch date for
June 8. At Launch Pad 39A, operations are proceeding
on schedule to meet that date. This week, the orbiter, ground and
solid rocket booster pyro initiator circuit resistance tests were
completed. The orbiter midbody umbilical unit mate operations were
also performed. Aft closeout operations are under way, with
completion scheduled for this weekend. Stowage of flight crew
equipment is in progress, and ordnance installation is complete.
This weekend, the orbiter's main engines, orbital maneuvering
system and forward reaction control system will be pressurized for
flight.
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. 9, 2007 Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Kelly, Hobaugh, Williams, Morgan, Mastracchio, Caldwell and
Drew Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical
miles
In Orbiter Processing Facility bay No. 2, Endeavour's aero
surfaces, such as the elevons, body flaps and rudder speed brake,
are configured for modal testing, which checks the structural
integrity of the vehicle. Nose landing gear door rigging is nearing
completion. Closeout of the orbiter's aft and forward sections is
under way. Work is also nearing completion on structural leak
checks of the orbital maneuvering system pods, forward compartment
and forward reaction control system.
In high bay No. 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building, stacking of
the solid rocket boosters continues for STS-118.
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
Testing of the "shuttle to station power transfer system" is
complete. Functional testing of the atmospheric revitalization
pressure control system, part of the orbiter's life support system,
continued this week. Modifications to Discovery's engine cutoff
sensor wiring continue, as does the installation of BRI tile around
the main landing gear doors and external tank doors.
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