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VEHICLE - Columbia/OV-102 -- Flight #28
LAUNCH DATE: January 16, 2003
PAD: 39A
LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
MISSION DURATION: 16 days
LANDING: KSC TBD
CREW: Husband, McCool, Anderson, Chawla, Brown, Clark, Ramon
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE AND INCLINATION: 150 nautical miles/39 degrees

SHUTTLE & PAYLOAD PROCESSING STATUS REPORT

Walkout

Liftoff + 4 seconds

Shuttle Columbia continues to perform well on its SPACEHAB microgravity research mission. 

On the medical research front, work with the bone and prostate cancer studies continued in the Bioreactor Demonstration System, and crewmembers participated in experiments for the Physiology and Biochemistry suite. 

The 16-day international science mission is scheduled to land on Feb. 1 at about 9:16 a.m. at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Early weather forecast indicate favorable conditions for a landing on Saturday.
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On orbit, Shuttle Columbia continues to perform well on its SPACEHAB microgravity research mission. Columbia's astronauts completed an experiment studying the activity of bone cells in microgravity and began final tests with a technology demonstration designed to investigate the behavior of capillary-pumped loops in space.

The 16-day international science mission is scheduled to land on Feb. 1 at 9:17 a.m. at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.
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Shuttle Columbia with a seven-member crew lifted off from Pad 39-A Jan. 16 at 10:39 a.m. During the SPACEHAB microgravity research mission, the crew will perform more than 80 experiments involving more than 70 scientists worldwide.

Solid Rocket Booster retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star returned to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral with the two spent boosters over the weekend.  Initial data indicates the Solid Rocket Boosters performed nominally.

At the pad, early inspections show that the pad sustained no unusual damage from the launch.
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Launch countdown is continuing on schedule for Shuttle Columbia's SPACEHAB microgravity research mission scheduled to launch this Thursday, Jan. 16. Final preparations and closeouts are ongoing at Pad 39-A. Loading of the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the Power Reactant Storage and Distribution System is complete.

Technicians are continuing the 16-hour task of loading the late-stow payloads and experiments into the SPACEHAB module.

Mission managers met at the standard meeting held two days prior to launch to discuss the status of the countdown and any remaining technical issues.

The Space Shuttle program reviewed the ongoing engineering analysis of a surface crack that was found on a 2.25-inch diameter metal ball associated with the Ball Strut Tie Rod Assembly (BSTRA) inside Discovery's 17-inch liquid oxygen line. Managers feel confident with the outcome of the testing and analysis, but will meet again tomorrow for one final evaluation and decision point.

Today, weather forecasters predict a favorable outlook for a launch attempt on Thursday, with only a 5 percent chance of weather prohibiting launch.
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The launch countdown began late last night for Shuttle Columbia's Spacehab microgravity research mission scheduled to launch this Thursday, Jan. 16. Work continues at Pad 39-A with preparations in work for loading the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the Power Reactant Storage and Distribution System. Due to the quantity and nature of research to be performed on this mission, technicians have begun preparations to load late stow payloads. Tomorrow will begin the 16-hour task of loading the late stow payloads and experiments into the Spacehab module.

Mission managers met last night to discuss the status of the ongoing engineering analysis of a surface crack that was found on a 2.25-inch diameter metal ball associated with the Ball Strut Tie Rod Assembly (BSTRA) inside Discovery's 17-inch liquid oxygen line. No inspections were performed on Columbia. The results of the testing have given the Space Shuttle program enough confidence to begin the countdown, with the final launch rationale to be presented at the standard meeting held two days prior to launch.

The STS-107 crew members arrived last night at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in preparations for their launch on Thursday.

Weather forecasters predict a favorable outlook for a launch attempt on Thursday, with only a 5 percent chance of weather prohibiting launch.
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Prelaunch preparations continue at Pad 39-A for Shuttle Columbia's Jan. 16 launch on the Spacehab microgravity research mission. Orbiter Maneuvering System/Reaction Control System flight pressurization is complete. Orbiter aft closeout is in work, with the doors scheduled to be closed Friday morning. Mission managers are currently meeting for the pre-launch STS-107 Flight Readiness Review. No inspections are planned on Columbia related to the BSTRA ball crack evaluation.
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STS-107 Launch Preparations began today at Pad 39-A for Shuttle Columbia's Jan. 16 launch on the Spacehab microgravity research mission. The astronauts and pad workers successfully completed the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Today orbiter aft closeouts are in work along with preparations for the Extravehicular Maneuvering Unit installation, Module Vertical Access Kit storage operations, Mass Memory Unit flight load and Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit mate and leak checks. Ordnance is scheduled later this week. No inspections are planned on Columbia related to the BSTRA ball crack evaluation.
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Pre-launch preparations continue at Pad 39-A for Shuttle Columbia's Jan. 16 launch on the Spacehab microgravity research mission. Hypergolic loading is complete, and the crew is participating in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test today and tomorrow. No inspections are planned on Columbia related to the BSTRA ball crack evaluation.
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Pre-launch preparations continue at Pad 39-A for Shuttle Columbia's Jan. 16 launch on the Spacehab microgravity research mission. Preparations are complete for loading hypergolic reactants on the Shuttle, with loading scheduled to begin today. The Helium Signature Test is complete. The crew will arrive to participate for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test scheduled for late this week. No inspections are planned on Columbia related to the BSTRA ball crack evaluation.
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During standard inspections that are performed on all shuttles as part of the Orbiter Maintenance and Modification (OMM) period, technicians found a crack earlier this week in a 2.25-inch diameter metal ball associated with a tie rod assembly inside Discovery's 17-inch liquid oxygen line. The assembly, called the Ball Strut Tie Rod Assembly (BSTRA), is a type of flexible support located in the interior of the line downstream of the 17-inch disconnect. Several such assemblies are located in both the liquid oxygen and hydrogen lines of the orbiter. Further inspections of Discovery have revealed no additional cracks, although the inspections are continuing. An engineering analysis and evaluation of the situation is under way.

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Shuttle Columbia arrived Monday at Pad 39-A in preparation for its Jan. 16 launch on the Spacehab microgravity research mission. Auxiliary Power Unit hot fire and launch pad validations are complete. Preparations are in work for loading hypergolic reactants on the Shuttle. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is scheduled for next week.
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This morning at 7:30 a.m., Shuttle Columbia began its 3.4-mile roll out to Pad 39-A in preparation for its launch scheduled for Jan. 16 on the Spacehab microgravity research mission. After the Shuttle reaches the pad, the Rotating Service Structure will be extended around Columbia to protect against any possible damage from approaching storms.

Tomorrow morning, the RSS will be retracted in order to perform an Auxiliary Power Unit hot fire.
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Following a successful STS-113 mission to the International Space Station to install the P1 truss, Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the Station Dec. 2 at 3:05 p.m. EST. The four-member crew, along with the three Expedition Five crew members, is scheduled to return to Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 3:48 p.m. EST.

The initial weather outlook for landing day indicates a chance of thunderstorms within 30 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.  Rain and thunderstorm possibilities increase for Thursday, while weather begins to show improvement if a Friday landing is necessary.
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On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Columbia rolled from the Orbiter Processing Facility to be mated to its External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters in preparation for the research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Mating operations are complete and the Shuttle awaits its roll out to Pad 39-A.
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Processing continues on Columbia in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Engine foaming and installation of the engine heat shield and carrier panel are complete.  Hydraulic leak checks are also complete. Closeout activities are in work for the orbiter to be placed on the Orbiter Transport System (OTS) for rollover next week to support solid rocket booster and external tank mating operations.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Engine foaming and engine heat shield and carrier panel installation should be complete today. Hydraulic leak checks are also in work. The orbiter is being prepared for mating to the external tank and solid rocket boosters in the coming weeks.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Wheels and tires are installed and payload bay doors are closed for flight.

Integrated hydraulic tests are scheduled for Wednesday. The orbiter is undergoing preparations to be mated with the solid rocket boosters and the external tank.
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Columbia continues with its processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. 

Payload health checks are complete and the payload bay doors will be closed today. Main engine heat shield installation continues in work today.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Engine installation and leak checks are complete and heat shield installation is in work.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Engine installation is complete and connector mates are in work today. Leak checks are scheduled for this weekend and heat shield installation is scheduled for next week.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Polishing, welding and cleaning on the flow-liners are complete. Shuttle main engine installation began today.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Polishing and welding on the flow-liners is complete and final cleaning in work.

Engine installation is scheduled to begin late Friday.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Polishing and welding is in work on the flow liners. Engine installation is scheduled to begin late Friday.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Polishing and welding is in work on the flow-liners. Engine installation is scheduled to begin next Wednesday.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Polishing is in work on the flow-liners and welding is scheduled to begin on tomorrow.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. Orbital maneuvering system pod functional checks are in work. The payload bay doors were closed yesterday and flow liner weld certifications continue.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Columbia continues processing in preparation for its research mission scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16, 2003.
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Columbia was transferred from the Vehicle Assembly Building to continue processing in preparation for its research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now  scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 16. _____________________________________________

Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 29.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 29.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 29. Columbia was moved to a storage facility to await flow liner repairs prior to its next mission.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than November 29. Due to the difference in material and number of slots on Columbia's flow liners, more engineering investigation is needed before a final repair option is selected. This morning, Columbia was moved to a storage facility to await flow liner repairs prior to its next mission. _____________________________________________

Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than November 29. Due to the difference in material and number of slots on Columbia's flow liners, more engineering investigation is needed before a final repair option is selected.
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Nominal processing has been completed in preparation for Columbia's research mission now scheduled for no earlier than November 29. Due to the difference in material and number of slots on Columbia's flow liners, more engineering investigation is needed before a final repair option is selected.
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Following inspections of Columbia's Main Propulsion System (MPS) flow liners that identified three cracks on engine No. 2 liquid hydrogen flow liner, mission managers delayed the launch date until a full engineering analysis could be completed. Nominal processing has been finished in preparation for Columbia's research mission and after a decision has been made as to how to resolve the flow liner issues, a launch date will be set.
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Due to the inspections and subsequent engineering investigation of the Main Propulsion System (MPS) liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flow liner on all four Space Shuttle orbiters, mission managers have changed all launch dates to under review. (The soonest any Shuttle could be ready for launch is currently estimated to be Sept. 26, 2002.) Meanwhile, a full engineering review is being conducted by NASA to determine the cause of the cracks found on the orbiter's flow liners and to develop an appropriate remedy. Various engineering teams across the country continue to analyze data to determine the appropriate course of action that will lead to the resumption of safe launches.

A decision is expected by the end of the week to select the best repair options. A decision is expected by the end of the month to proceed with the repairs or to fly as is.

The orbiters are currently being processed for their future flights up to the point of engine installation.
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Following completion of Main Propulsion System (MPS) liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen flow liner inspections on all four Space Shuttle orbiters, mission managers have changed all launch dates to under review. Meanwhile, a full engineering review is being conducted by NASA to determine the cause of the cracks found on the orbiter's flow liners and to develop an appropriate remedy. Various engineering teams across the country continue to analyze data to determine the appropriate course of action that will lead to a safe launch at the earliest possible date. A decision is expected as early as late next week regarding the various repair options.
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Following inspections of Columbia's Main Propulsion System (MPS) flow liners that identified three cracks on engine No. 2 liquid hydrogen flow liner, mission managers delayed the launch date until a full engineering analysis is complete.
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Inspections of Columbia's Main Propulsion System (MPS) liquid oxygen and hydrogen flow liners are complete. Due to the magnetic property of the stainless flow liners on Columbia, ultrasonic testing proved to be a more effective means than eddy current to determine if cracks were present. Using ultrasound, technicians identified three cracks on engine two liquid hydrogen flow liner.  No further decisions are expected until teams are able to inspect Endeavour late this week.
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Following the removal of the Space Shuttle's three main engines, inspections will continue through the week of flow liners in liquid oxygen and hydrogen lines on Columbia. So far, one crack, similar in size to cracks found on Atlantis and Discovery, has been confirmed in one flow liner in a liquid hydrogen line on Columbia. Several teams across the country continue to investigate all aspects of the flow liner issue. No further results from those teams analyzing the issue are anticipated before next week at the earliest.
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After discovering small cracks on the LH2 Main Propulsion System (MPS) flow liners in two Orbiters, program managers decided to move forward with inspections on Columbia before clearing it for flight. As technicians plan for the inspections, preparations for Space Shuttle Main Engine heat shield removal are in work, followed by the removal of the three main engines. Inspections of the flow liners should begin next week.
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NASA MANAGERS DELAY STS-107 LAUNCH

NASA managers today temporarily suspended launch preparations for Space Shuttle Columbia until they have a better understanding of several small cracks found in metal liners used to direct the flow inside main propulsion-system propellant lines on other orbiters in the fleet. 

Columbia's launch on STS-107, previously planned for July 19, will be delayed a few weeks to allow inspections of its flow liners as part of an intensive analysis that is under way. 

Recent inspections of Space Shuttle Atlantis and Space Shuttle Discovery found cracks, measuring one-tenth to three-tenths of an inch, in one flow liner on each of those vehicles. Some of the cracks were not identifiable using standard visual inspections and were only discovered using more intensive inspection techniques.

"These cracks may pose a safety concern and we have teams at work investigating all aspects of the situation," said Space Shuttle Program Manager Ron Dittemore. "This is a very complex issue and it is early in the analysis. Right now there are more questions than answers. Our immediate interests are to inspect the hardware to identify cracks that exist, understand what has caused them and quantify the risk. 

I am confident the team will fully resolve this issue, but it may take some time. Until we have a better understanding, we will not move forward with the launch of STS-107."

The impact of the investigation on other upcoming space shuttle launches has not been determined.
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Processing continues on schedule for the STS-107 microgravity research mission. Aft closeouts are complete and forward closeouts are in work. Final Orbiter power down is scheduled for late this evening in preparation for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
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At a meeting this morning, mission managers determined that processing for the STS-107 microgravity research mission would continue to proceed toward a July 19 launch date. Landing gear, nose wheel steering and brake functional tests, as well as the four-inch liquid hydrogen disconnect connections are complete. Integrated hydraulic checkout is in work. The doors on the payload bay, containing the SPACEHAB/FREESTAR payload, are scheduled to be closed for flight tomorrow and will not be reopened at the pad prior to launch.
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Processing for Columbia's STS-107 microgravity research mission continues in the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). Right-hand Orbital Maneuvering System pod thruster replacements are complete. Payload premate test, Auxiliary Power Unit leak and functional test, and servicing of Freon Loop No. 1 are in work.
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