03.02.07
John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0602
Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
STATUS REPORT: S-030207
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. If you are a member of the media and would like further
information, visit:
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: Targeted for April 2007
Launch Pad: 39A
Crew: Sturckow, Archambault, Reilly, Swanson, Forrester and Olivas
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Preparations are underway at Launch Pad 39A to roll back the STS-117
Shuttle stack to the Vehicle Assembly building. Roll back is
currently targeted for Sunday morning. STS-117 is returning to the
VAB so that engineers and technicians can thoroughly inspect the
shuttle for hail damage that resulted from a violent storm on Monday
evening.
Once inspections are complete, a decision will be made on the type of
repair necessary and the time needed for that work.
On Thursday, workers at the pad offloaded the fuel and oxidizer from
the orbiter maneuvering system tanks. The orbiter�s payload bay doors
are open, and work is underway to remove the payload from the cargo
bay today. Demating of the shuttle from the pad systems will continue
through Saturday, with rotation of the pads� rotating service
structure scheduled for early Sunday morning.
Earlier in the week, the Space Shuttle Program managers met for a
2-day STS-117 Flight Readiness Review. During this meeting managers
and engineers review risks associated with the mission and determine
whether the shuttle�s equipment, support systems and procedures are
ready for flight. At the conclusion of the FRR, there was a unanimous
decision to proceed with the STS-117 mission, pending resolution of
the open work to make necessary repairs to the hail damage on the
shuttle.
For previous space shuttle processing status reports, visit:
-end-