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.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/shuttle