SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT S-081106

08.11.06

Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

STATUS REPORT: S-081106

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:

Mission: STS-115 - 19th International Space Station Flight (12A) -
P3/P4 Truss Segment and Solar Arrays
Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: No earlier than Aug. 27, 2006 at about 4:30 p.m. EDT
Crew: Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean and Stefanyshyn-Piper
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

At Launch Pad 39B, functional tests and checkout of the shuttle and
pad systems are under way. Installation of the elbow camera of the
orbiter’s remote manipulator system (robotic arm) is complete. This
weekend, hypergolic propellant loading will begin for the orbiter’s
reaction control system, orbital maneuvering system pods and the
auxiliary power units, and for the hydraulic power units of the solid
rocket boosters.

The STS-115 payload was installed in Atlantis’ payload bay last
Saturday. The payload for STS-115 is the Port 3/4 truss segment, the
next major addition to the 11-segment integrated truss structure that
will eventually span more that 300 feet. The P3/P4 truss, with its
two large solar arrays, will provide one-fourth of the total power
generation capability of the completed station.

The STS-115 crew visited KSC this week for a launch dress rehearsal,
called the terminal countdown demonstration test. The demonstration
test provided the crew an opportunity to participate in various
simulated countdown activities, and included equipment
familiarization and emergency egress training.

Mission managers will meet next week for a 2-day Flight Readiness
Review, during which they will thoroughly assess the status of Space
Shuttle Atlantis for launch. This meeting will yield a number of key
decisions about STS-115, including selection of an official launch
date.

Mission: STS-116 - 20th International Space Station Flight (12A.1) -
P5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3
Launch Date: No earlier than Dec. 14, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick, Fuglesang
and Williams
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

Processing of Discovery for its next mission, STS-116, continues in
Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. The thermal barrier on the
orbiter’s rudder speed brake was replaced this week. Testing of the
power reactant storage and distribution system is under way, as are
checkouts of the Ku-band antenna heater, the main propulsion system
and the orbital maneuvering system pods. Functional checkout of the
radiator is complete. The wheels and tires for the nose landing gear
have been installed. Windows no. 3 and 4 were removed and replaced.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Powered-up system testing continues on Endeavour in Orbiter Processing
Facility bay 2 following an extensive modification period. Freon
coolant loop no. 2 deservicing was completed this week. Rigging and
alignment of the remote manipulator system (orbiter arm) pedestals
continue. Workers completed verification of the orbiter’s
airlock/hatch. Fuel tank installation for the power reactant storage
and distribution (PRSD) system is under way. Oxygen tank no. 5 was
installed last week, and leak checks were successfully completed this
week. The PRSD supplies liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to the
orbiter’s fuel cells, which serve as the electrical power plant for
the vehicle.

-end-