05.22.06
Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(321) 867-2468
STATUS REPORT: S-052206
NASA’S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
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. This report does not necessarily reflect the chronological
order of future space shuttle missions. 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-121 - 18th International Space Station Flight (ULF1.1) -
Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: Launch Processing Window July 1-19, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak, Wilson and Reiter
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
On May 19, the crawler transporter carrying Space Shuttle Discovery
left the Vehicle Assembly Building at 12:45 p.m. on its 4.2-mile
journey to Launch Pad 39B and arrived nearly eight hours later.
Technicians performed a “hot fire” test of the auxiliary power units
on Saturday to ensure they are properly functioning. Later that
evening, the rotating service structure was moved back around the
vehicle to protect it from potential damage and the elements while at
the pad.
Today, the launch team at the pad began preparing for the flight
readiness test of the space shuttle main engines. Liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen system leak checks are scheduled for this afternoon.
The test will ensure the engine hydraulics are working properly.
The payload arrived at the pad last week. Technicians will open the
payload bay doors on the orbiter this afternoon and the payload will
be transferred into the payload bay on Tuesday.
For previous space shuttle processing status reports, visit:
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