Ahead Of Schedule Even

Discovery was disconnected from its external tank and Solid Rocket Boosters Thursday and lowered by crane onto the Orbiter Transporter System in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The orbiter is scheduled to move and be attached to its new tank (ET-121) on June 6th.

The new heater installed on the tank should minimize the potential for ice buildup. Technicians then plan to work the final closeouts on the Shuttle and hook up liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen systems and conduct an interface verification test. Discovery is scheduled to return to the launch pad on June 13th, one day earlier than planned.

Power-up testing continues on Atlantis in the Orbiter Processing Facility as it prepares for its mission to the International Space Station. Closeouts are also continuing. Atlantis is scheduled to roll from the processing facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building in mid-July.

Technicians are testing the Orbiter Maneuvering System and Forward Reaction Control System and will begin cleaning the payload bay next week. The third redesigned External Tank (ET-119) should be shipped from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on June 9th, arriving about five days later. ET-119 might fly with Atlantis on its mission.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/returntoflight