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VEHICLE: Endeavour/OV-105 -- Flight #19
LAUNCH DATE: November 10, 2002 NET
PAD: 39B
LAUNCH WINDOW: 5-10 minutes
MISSION DURATION: 11 days
LANDING: KSC, TBD
CREW: Wetherbee, Loria, Lopez-Alegria, Herrington; (ISS up) Bowersox,
ORBITAL INSERTION ALTITUDE AND INCLINATION: 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
SHUTTLE & PAYLOAD PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
Launch +1 second. Endeavour leaps off Pad A.
Launch +6. Endeavour starts its roll program.
Launch +9
Endeavour is in mid roll program.
Launch +15
Endeavour's roll program complete, she thunders skyward.
Shuttle Endeavour lifted off Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:49:47 p.m. EST on the STS-113 mission to the International Space Station. The seven-member crew is preparing to dock to the Station Monday, Nov. 25, at 4:26 p.m. EST.
Initial data indicates the Solid Rocket Boosters performed nominally and will return to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral today.
Freedom Star will arrive at 12 p.m. with the left booster, and Liberty Star will arrive at 1:30 p.m. with the right booster.At the pad, early inspections show that the
pad sustained no unusual damage from Saturday's launch. Clean up work has
begun in preparation for the next mission scheduled at Pad 39-A, STS-107 in
January 2003.
_____________________________________________
Following a flawless countdown, Shuttle Endeavour illuminated the Florida coast and lifted off at 7:49:47 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39-A on mission STS-113 to the International Space Station. Although inclement weather was a concern early in the count at the Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites in Zaragoza and Moron Spain, the weather cooperated to provide a brilliant beginning to the 11-day mission.
This mission marks the 16th Shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the fifth and final Shuttle mission this year. Mission STS-113 is the 19th flight of the orbiter Endeavour and the 112th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle Program.On mission STS-113, astronauts will deliver the Expedition Six crew and the Port 1 (P1) Integrated Truss Structure to the International Space Station. During the seven days Endeavour will be docked to the Station, three spacewalks will be performed dedicated to connecting the P1 truss to the port side of the S0 truss, already in place on the Station.
Solid Rocket Booster retrieval ships Liberty Star and Freedom Star are
positioned in the recovery area some 140 miles east of Cape Canaveral ready
to pick up and assess the status of the two spent booster casings. The ships
are scheduled to return to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no
earlier than Monday, Nov. 25.
_____________________________________________
SHUTTLE MISSION STS-113 LAUNCH TIME ANNOUNCED FOR LAUNCH ON NOV. 22
Following a review of processing activities including the repair of an oxygen leak in the orbiter's midbody and the evaluation of the condition of the orbiter's robotic arm, mission managers today confirmed the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour for Friday, Nov. 22, at the preferred launch time of 8:15:30 p.m. EST.
The planar launch window on Friday extends from 8:10:30 - 8:20:30 p.m. EST with the preferred launch time reflecting a flight day three rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station. The launch window will be updated to coincide with the latest orbital position of the Space Station and will be announced at the T-9 minute hold.
STS-113 is a scheduled 11-day mission with a planned KSC landing at about 3:07 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
This mission marks the sixteenth Shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the fifth Shuttle mission this year. Mission STS-113 is the 19th flight of the orbiter Endeavour and the 112th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program. On mission STS-113, astronauts will deliver the Expedition Six crew and the Port 1 (P1) Integrated Truss Structure to the International Space Station.During the seven days Endeavour will be docked to the Station, three spacewalks will be performed dedicated to connecting the P1 truss to the port side of the S0 truss, already in place on the Station.
The STS-113 crew includes Commander James Wetherbee, Pilot Paul Lockhart, and Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington, and Expedition Six crew members Commander Kenneth Bowersox, Donald Pettit, and Nikolai Budarin, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency.
REMAINING COUNTDOWN MILESTONES
*all times are Eastern
Launch-1 Day (Thursday, Nov. 21)
(As of 7 p.m. EST, the countdown clock is in a scheduled built-in hold
at the T-11 hour mark)* Flight crew equipment late stow activities continue Launch Day (Friday, Nov. 22)
* Move Rotating Service Structure (RSS) to the park position (about 12:00 a.m.)
* Perform ascent switch list
* Fuel cell flow-through purge complete
Resume countdown at T-11 hours (4:20 a.m.)
* Activate the orbiter's fuel cells (5:30 a.m.)
* Clear the blast danger area of all nonessential personnel
* Switch Endeavour's purge air to gaseous nitrogen (6:35 a.m.)
Enter planned 2-hour built-in hold at the T-6 hour mark (9:20 a.m.)
* Launch team verifies no violations of launch commit criteria prior to cryogenic loading of the external tank
* Clear pad of all personnel
* Begin loading the external tank with about 500,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants (as early as 10:50 a.m.)
Resume countdown at T-6 hours (11:20 a.m.)
* Complete filling the external tank with its flight load of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants (about 1:55 p.m.)
* Final Inspection Team proceed to launch pad
Enter planned 2-hour built-in hold at T-3 hours (2:20 p.m.)
* Perform inertial measurement unit preflight calibration
* Align Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) tracking antennas
* Perform open loop test with Eastern Range
Resume countdown at T-3 hours (4:20 p.m.)
* Complete close-out preparations in the white room
* Check cockpit switch configurations
* Begin Eastern Range final network open loop command checks
* Primary ascent guidance data is transferred to the backup flight system
* Complete inertial measurement unit preflight alignments
Enter planned 10-minute hold at T-20 minutes (7:00 p.m.)
* NASA Test Director conducts final launch team briefings
* Transition the orbiter's onboard computers to launch configuration
* Start fuel cell thermal conditioning
* Close orbiter cabin vent valves
* Transition backup flight system to launch configuration
Resume countdown at T-20 minutes (7:10 p.m.)
Enter estimated 45-minute hold at T-9 minutes (7:21 p.m.)
* Launch Director, Mission Management Team and NASA Test Director conduct final polls for go/no go to launch
Resume countdown at T-9 minutes (about 8:09 p.m.)
* Start automatic ground launch sequencer (T-9:00 minutes)
* Retract orbiter crew access arm (T-7:30)
* Start mission recorders (T-6:15)
* Start Auxiliary Power Units (T-5:00)
* Arm SRB and ET range safety safe and arm devices (T-5:00)
* Start liquid oxygen drainback (T-4:55)
* Start orbiter aerosurface profile test (T-3:55)
* Start main engine gimbal profile test (T-3:30)
* Pressurize liquid oxygen tank (T-2:55)
* Begin retraction of the gaseous oxygen vent arm (T-2:55)
* Fuel cells to internal reactants (T-2:35)
* Pressurize liquid hydrogen tank (T-1:57)
* Deactivate SRB joint heaters (T-1:00)
* Orbiter transfers from ground to internal power (T-0:50 seconds)
* Ground Launch Sequencer go for auto sequence start (T-0:31 seconds)
* SRB gimbal profile (T-0:21 seconds)
* Ignition of three Space Shuttle main engines (T-6.6 seconds)
* SRB ignition and liftoff (T-0)
The countdown for Space Shuttle Endeavour's launch on mission STS-113 to the International Space Station remains on scheduled for Friday, Nov. 22. Last night, mission managers cleared Endeavour of both technical issues that were under analysis since the previous launch attempt.
Engineering testing of the robotic arm that was bumped by a work platform being installed in the payload bay, showed the damage is not a concern for the arm's operation during the mission. Both the gaseous oxygen and nitrogen flex hoses in the Environmental Control and Life Support System have been replaced, and managers concluded no further work is required prior to flight.
Overnight, work at the launch pad included the completion of loading the onboard cryogenic reactants into Endeavour's storage tanks. Today, communications checks are being conducted.
Yesterday, the crew of mission STS-113 arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility. Today, they will review their flight plans, get a briefing on the launch day weather, and fly in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.
Today, weather forecasters show a 20 percent probability of weather
prohibiting Friday's launch. Forecasts indicate a concern for strong winds
at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) causing possible violations in case of
a Return to Launch Site abort landing. The probability of weather
prohibiting the loading of the External Tank with liquid oxygen and liquid
hydrogen tomorrow afternoon is 5 percent.
Shuttle managers today cleared Endeavour for launch on mission STS-113, resolving two technical issues that had been the focus of extensive analysis and evaluation. The countdown already is under way toward Endeavour's launch on Friday.
Tests in Toronto, Canada, along with other analysis, showed that damage to Endeavour's robotic arm would not affect its operations during STS-113.
The arm was bumped by a work platform being installed in Endeavour's payload bay last week, resulting in a roughly two-inch-square "bruise" to its carbon composite structure.Managers also reviewed concerns regarding flex hoses throughout the
shuttle fleet that have been evaluated as a result of a leaking oxygen flex
hose found during Endeavour's first launch attempt. Two flex hose lines --
one that carries oxygen and another that carries nitrogen -- have been
replaced aboard Endeavour, and managers concluded no further work was
required aboard Endeavour prior to flight. Analysis of the leaking flex hose
showed the cause to be fatigue from normal use coupled with a weak
configuration that allowed excessive flexing of the lines.
The countdown for launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-113 began overnight in preparation for launch as early as Friday, Nov. 22. Mission managers continue to discuss options regarding the Remote Manipulator System (robotic arm) in the orbiter's payload bay.
Shuttle managers will meet late today to review the status of activities concerning damage to the Remote Manipulator System and give final closure to the flex hoses aboard Endeavour. A final determination regarding the arm and the go ahead for launch is expected tonight.
On Tuesday, technicians completed replacing a nitrogen flex hose line. The nitrogen flex hose is adjacent to an oxygen flex hose that was replaced last week.
Weather forecasters are currently predicting a 20 percent chance of
weather violations of the launch commit criteria rules for a launch attempt
on Friday. The primary concern is for possible strong winds at the Shuttle
Landing Facility (SLF) as a cold front moves through Florida Thursday
evening. High winds at the SLF could violate constraints for a possible
return-to-launch site landing.
Shuttle managers are gaining some confidence that open technical issues for Endeavour may be resolved this week and allow launch of STS-113 no earlier than Nov. 22. However, an evaluation and analysis of both issues is continuing as well as planning for alternate options that could require additional time.
Managers plan to meet late Wednesday to review the ongoing work and assess Endeavour's status while maintaining preparations for a Friday launch.
Ultrasound inspections of Endeavour's Remote Manipulator System robotic arm have found a roughly two-inch-square area of delamination of the arm's carbon composite structure. Engineers are optimistic the delamination, which resulted from a bump by a work platform being installed in the shuttle cargo bay last week, may not affect the arm's operation. Tests are planned with a robotic arm boom in Toronto, Canada, to gauge the structural effects of the damage on Endeavour. Those tests are expected to be completed by mid-week.
Engineers also are evaluating alternate options for resolution of the RMS issue in the event testing shows the arm cannot be used for STS-113 in its current condition. Those alternate options include a potential repair of the delamination area while the arm is installed on Endeavour or removing the arm from Endeavour at the launch pad and accomplishing the STS-113 mission solely using the International Space Station's robotic arm. Initiating either alternate option would likely move Endeavour's launch to at least early December.
This weekend, work has progressed on removing and replacing a nitrogen
flex hose from Endeavour. The nitrogen flex hose is adjacent to an oxygen
flex hose that was found leaking during Endeavour's last launch attempt and
was replaced last week. An analysis has indicated line fatigue from normal
use and a weak configuration that allowed excessive flexing of the two
lines likely caused the leak. Engineers are evaluating other flex hoses
throughout the Space Shuttle to determine if any similar situations in other
systems may need to be addressed. The evaluation has included removing some
flex hoses from other Shuttle orbiters.
Space Shuttle program managers have rescheduled the launch of Endeavour on the STS-113 mission to no earlier than Nov. 22.
The new launch date avoids conflict with other launches planned from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and allows shuttle engineers additional time to complete an ongoing evaluation of two open technical issues.
An analysis of a leaking oxygen flex hose removed from Endeavour earlier this week indicated that the leak may have been caused by fatigue from normal usage. As a precaution, a flex hose assembly adjacent to the oxygen hose that was replaced earlier this week will be removed and replaced during the weekend.
Technicians also continue an analysis of a scrape on Endeavour's robotic
arm. Ultrasound inspections of the arm have so far revealed some
delamination of its carbon composite structure. Further analysis of the
arm's condition continues to determine if the delamination is acceptable for
flight.
Technicians at the Pad have successfully completed the replacement of the faulty flex hose assembly that caused a leak in the Environmental Control and Life Support System oxygen line during Endeavour's countdown last Sunday. Retests and X-rays of the newly installed assembly and bulkhead fitting have been completed and were cleared for flight.
The line that was removed was sent to the malfunction lab for analysis to determine the cause of the leak.
Robotic arm experts arrived yesterday evening at KSC to inspect a scrape on the surface of the arm's honeycomb shell that occurred while work platforms were being installed to gain access to repair the oxygen leak in the Shuttle's mid body. This morning, the team's plan is to cut out the damaged segment of the honeycomb and perform ultrasound testing of the structure underneath. The evaluation is ongoing and managers will meet again late Friday to discuss the outcome of the testing and the engineering analysis.
_____________________________________________
During inspections conducted yesterday, an oxygen flex hose fitting was identified as the source of an oxygen leak in Endeavour's mid-body. The leak was identified using helium detectors and also could be felt by hand. Visual inspection found a deformity in the flex line braid where it connects to rigid tubing. The entire flex hose assembly
and bulkhead fitting were removed early today, and work is underway to complete the installation of a replacement.Tuesday, while work platforms were being installed to gain access to repair the oxygen leak in Endeavour's mid-body, a platform scuffed the robotic arm, or RMS, that is latched along the left-hand edge of Endeavour's cargo bay.
The scuff tore a surface insulating blanket on the exterior of the arm and left a scrape on the surface of the arm's honeycomb shell. An evaluation is underway to determine if there is any damage that could affect operation of the arm during STS-113. The RMS is planned to be used during the STS-113 mission to assist with the installation of the Shuttle's primary cargo, a portside International Space Station truss segment. The evaluation includes ultrasonic checks to ensure that no internal components of the arm have been damaged. Results from the checks are expected later this week._____________________________________________
Following the decision Sunday night to postpone the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour (earlier set for Monday, Nov. 11) due to higher than allowable oxygen levels in the orbiter's mid body, workers began to perform nominal activities associated with a scrub turnaround.
Detanking of Endeavour's external tank was completed early Monday, and offloading of both the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the Power Reactant Storage and Distribution System has been completed.
At the pad, Endeavour's payload bay doors were opened this morning allowing workers access to the mid body. Technicians will begin inspections to determine the source of the oxygen leak in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLS) late this evening.
The STS-113 astronauts returned to Johnson Space Center in Houston
yesterday afternoon and will return to KSC once a final launch date has been
set.
At about 9:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, following the completion of tanking operations, NASA managers postponed the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-113 due to higher than allowable oxygen levels in the orbiter's mid body. Launch has been tentatively set for no earlier than Monday, Nov. 18 so that technicians can troubleshoot and repair the leak. Detanking of Endeavour's external tank will begin early this morning, and over the next two days, both the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the Power Reactant Storage and Distribution System will be offloaded.
Workers at the pad will gain access to the orbiter as early as Wednesday and begin to investigate the exact location and possible cause of the leak.
At this time, managers do not feel that the P1 truss payload will need to be removed for workers to make a repair.
Due to the delay, the astronauts will return to Johnson Space Center in
Houston.
Following a review of Space Shuttle processing activities at Launch Pad 39A, mission managers today confirmed the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour for Monday, Nov. 11, at the preferred launch time of 12:58:40 a.m. EST.
The planar launch window on Monday extends from 12:53:39 - 1:03:39 a.m. EST with the preferred launch time reflecting a flight day three rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station. The launch window will be updated to coincide with the latest orbital position of the Space Station and will be announced at the T-9 minute hold.
STS-113 is a scheduled 11-day mission with a planned KSC landing at about 8:17 p.m. EST on Nov. 21. This mission marks the sixteenth Shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the fifth Shuttle mission this year. Mission STS-113 is the 19th flight of the orbiter Endeavour and the 112th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program.
On mission STS-113, astronauts will deliver the Expedition Six crew and the Port 1 (P1) Integrated Truss Structure to the International Space Station. During the seven days Endeavour will be docked to the Station, three spacewalks will be performed dedicated to connecting the P1 truss to the port side of the S0 truss, already in place on the Station.
The STS-113 crew includes Commander James Wetherbee, Pilot Paul Lockhart, and Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington, and Expedition Six crew members Commander Kenneth Bowersox, Donald Pettit, and Nikolai Budarin, a cosmonaut with the Russian Space Agency.
***************************
Countdown activities continue on schedule for the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station.
Mission managers met Friday afternoon and are working no technical issues at this time that would prevent an on time launch of Endeavour. At the Pad, filling of the on-board Power Reactant and Storage Distribution tanks with the needed liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to support the mission was completed this morning, with final Space Shuttle Main Engine checks beginning this afternoon. Tomorrow afternoon, managers will meet again to give the go ahead to begin filling the External Tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid propellant.
Weather forecasters predict a ridge of high pressure to extend across
south Florida early Monday morning causing slight concerns for isolated
showers in the Kennedy Space Center area during the launch window. The
probability of weather at KSC prohibiting launch is 20 percent and only 5
percent of weather issues prohibiting tanking activities. If a launch delay
was required, there is a 30 percent chance of weather prohibiting launch for
a 24-hour turnaround and a 60 percent chance of weather prohibiting launch
for a 48-hour turnaround.
The countdown for the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour began early this morning on schedule at the T-43 hour mark.
Activities at the pad today include preparations to begin filling the on-board Power Reactant and Storage Distribution tanks with the flight load of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants necessary for the planned 11 days Endeavour will be in orbit. Other pad activities include final pyrotechnic tests and preparations for communication checks.
The crew for STS-113 arrived at Kennedy Space Center last night and are today reviewing their flight plans, training in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and visiting with their families.
The weather forecast calls for a ridge of high pressure to extend across
south Florida early Monday morning with enough moisture to cause some
concern for isolated showers in the Kennedy Space Center area during the
launch window. The probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch is 20
percent. Due to a cold front expected to pass through the area late Tuesday
or early Wednesday, weather that could prohibit launch increases to 30
percent if a 24-hour turnaround is required and 60 percent for a 48-hour
delay.
Preparations for the countdown of the 112th Shuttle mission and launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour from Launch Pad 39A continue. The Flight Crew Equipment installation in the flight and mid-deck is currently in work. Countdown will begin on Friday for an early morning launch on Monday.
The weather forecast for launch is generally good. A ridge of high pressure will stretch across central Florida. Surface winds will be from the south, and low-level moisture will increase slowly early in the week.
There is a 20 percent chance for showers during the launch window;
however, the threat is primarily offshore.
Preparations for the countdown of the 112th Shuttle mission and launch of
Space Shuttle Endeavour from Launch Pad 39-A continue. The Liquid Hydrogen
and Liquid Oxygen dew point conditioning is complete. Crew System Stow in
the flight and mid-deck is scheduled for tomorrow. The Reaction Control
System Pressurization Test is also complete.
Preparations for the countdown of the 112th Shuttle mission and launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour from Launch Pad 39-A continue for next week's launch. Today the Reaction Control System Pressurization Test is in work and the External Tank Purge is scheduled for tomorrow. Countdown activities will commence later this week.
Endeavour is scheduled to launch on Nov. 11 between midnight and 4 a.m. carrying a new crew to the International Space Station and a new truss segment that will enhance future cooling and power systems. The specific launch time will be announced approximately 24 hours prior to liftoff.
Landing is scheduled at Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 21.
ENDEAVOUR TO LAUNCH NOV. 11 WITH NEW CREW, TRUSS SEGMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
The Space Shuttle Endeavour is set to launch Nov. 11 on a mission that will carry the International Space Station (ISS) into its third year of permanent occupancy with a new crew and a new, 14-ton truss segment to enhance future cooling and power systems.
Endeavour will launch between midnight and 4 a.m. EST from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. A precise launch time will be announced about 24 hours before liftoff. The Nov. 11 launch provides the current ISS crew time to prepare for the STS-113 crew's arrival after the visiting Soyuz taxi crew departs Nov. 9.
"Endeavour's flight will complete a year for the Shuttle program that has included a complex overhaul of the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as, four flights to add over 45 tons of components to the International Space Station," Space Shuttle Program Manager Ron Dittemore said. "The Shuttle team's achievements are remarkable and they have done a great job getting Endeavour ready to go."
Endeavour will launch the sixth station crew, designated Expedition 6 - Commander Ken Bowersox (Capt., USN), Russian Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin and NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit (Ph.D.). The current station crew, Expedition 5 - Russian Commander Valery Korzun (Col., Russian Air Force), NASA ISS Science Officer Peggy Whitson (Ph.D.) and Russian Flight Engineer Sergei Treschev - has been in orbit since June 5 and will return to Earth aboard Endeavour.
Endeavour also will carry the Station's first port integrated truss segment, designated Port One (P1). Together with the Starboard One (S1) truss installed in October, the P1 truss will provide additional station cooling and support for a massive power system that ultimately will hold almost an acre of solar panels to fuel a complex of orbiting laboratories. The P1 truss also includes the second of two human-powered railcars, called Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) carts, to allow spacewalkers to quickly traverse a railway atop the truss.
Jim Wetherbee (Capt., USN) will command Endeavour, and Paul Lockhart
(Lt. Col., USAF) will serve as pilot. Mission specialists will be Michael Lopez-Alegria (Capt., USN) and John Herrington (Cmdr., USN). Lopez-Alegria and Herrington will conduct three spacewalks during STS-113 to install and outfit the new truss structure and spacewalk work platform. Dual robotic operations, employing both Endeavour's robotic Canadarm and the Station's Canadarm2, will be used to install the P1 truss.Endeavour is scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 21. STS-113
will be the 19th flight for Endeavour and the 112th in Shuttle history.
Preparations for the countdown and launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour from Launch Pad 39-A continue on schedule. Aft closeouts are in work today and aft doors will be installed tomorrow. The Flight Readiness Review was conducted today at the Kennedy Space Center.
Following the review, mission managers selected Nov. 11 as the launch
date for STS-113.
Space Shuttle Endeavour is at Launch Pad 39-A preparing for its lift off to the International Space Station next month.
Hypergolic propellant loading is complete and aft closeouts are in work.
Tomorrow technicians will perform a check out of the spacesuits.
The Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for Thursday at KSC. Following
this meeting, a firm launch date is expected to be announced.
Space Shuttle Endeavour is at Launch Pad 39-A preparing for its lift off to the International Space Station next month.
Hypergolic propellant loading began at 4 a.m. and will conclude tomorrow.
As a result of the on-going investigation regarding the denotation of only
one of two sets of small explosives that hold the solid rocket boosters to
the launch platform during the STS-112 launch, inspections continue on the
mobile launch platforms.
Space Shuttle Endeavour is at Launch Pad 39-A.
The payload bay doors were closed Thursday and the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test was complete on Friday. The helium signature leak test is in work today. Also in work today are the preparations for propellant loading which is scheduled to begin on Thursday._____________________________________________
Space Shuttle Endeavour is at Launch Pad 39-A following its Oct. 12 rollout. The primary payload, P1 Truss, has been installed into the orbiter's payload bay and the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is in work this week. Pad validations are complete.
Preparation for propellant load scheduled for next week is currently in work.
_____________________________________________Space Shuttle Endeavour rolled out to the launch pad over the weekend and the P-1 truss payload is currently being installed in its payload bay today. Pad Validation is complete. The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is currently scheduled for later this week.
Preparation for propellant load, scheduled for next week, is currently in
work.
Space Shuttle Endeavour is on the Mobile Launch Platform, mated to the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.
Preparations are in work to transport Endeavour to the launch pad to begin the final phase of processing in anticipation of launch next month. Mission managers are keeping an eye on weather conditions as a result of Tropical Depression Kyle that is heading towards the east coast of Florida.The P-1 Truss Segment payload was delivered to the pad this morning.
Endeavour is mated to the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.
Preparations are in work to transport Endeavour to the launch pad to begin
the final phase of processing in anticipation of launch next month. The P1
truss segment is scheduled to be delivered to the pad later this week.
Operations are in work to complete the mating operations of Endeavour to the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.
Endeavour and its payload, the P1 Truss Segment, will be transferred to the launch pad next week in preparation for its upcoming launch to the International Space Station.
_____________________________________________Preparations for the last scheduled mission of the year are progressing
smoothly. Earlier this week Endeavour was mated to its external tank and
solid rocket boosters. Plans are now in work for rollout to the launch pad.
Preparations are in work to begin final preparations for the upcoming
launch to the International Space Station in November. Orbiter jackdown and
center of gravity checks are complete. The orbiter is scheduled to be mated
to the transporter later today.
Endeavour's forward and window closeouts continue in work in preparation
for rollover to begin final preparations for the upcoming launch to the
International Space Station in November.
Endeavour's forward closeouts continue in work. The functional
retest on adjustments made on the Manipulator Positioning Mechanism that is
attached to the Remote Manipulator System was successful. Payload bay doors
have been closed in preparation for rollover and mate to the external tank.
Endeavour's aft and mid-body closeouts continue in work. Payload bay
doors are scheduled for closeout tomorrow in preparation for rollover to
begin final preparations for the upcoming launch to the International Space
Station. Adjustments on the Manipulator Positioning Mechanism that is
attached to the Remote Manipulator System were complete on Friday.
Additional measurements and a functional test are in work today.
Endeavour's aft and mid-body closeouts continue in work. Payload bay doors are scheduled for closeout on Friday in preparation for final preparations for the upcoming launch to the International
Space Station._____________________________________________
Endeavour's forward and aft closeouts continue in preparation for its upcoming launch to the International Space Station.
The Manipulator Positioning Mechanism that is attached to the Remote
Manipulator System was cycled and a gap was noted. Engineers will evaluate
and determine the necessary steps to correct the problem.
Mission managers today approved a new target launch date of no earlier
than Nov. 10. Endeavour's forward and aft closeouts continue in preparation
for its upcoming launch to the International Space Station. The Manipulator
Positioning Mechanism that is attached to the Remote Manipulator System was
cycled and a gap was noted. Engineers will evaluate and determine the
necessary steps to correct the problem.
Endeavour's aft closeouts continue in preparation for its upcoming launch
to the International Space Station. Forward compartment closeouts begin
today. The crew participated in the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT)
over the weekend.
Endeavour's aft closeouts are continuing in preparation for its upcoming launch to the International Space Station.
The Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) is scheduled for this weekend.
Endeavour continues processing for its upcoming launch to the
International Space Station. Remote Manipulator System checkout is complete.
Main Propulsion System leak checks and ammonia servicing are in work.
Endeavour continues to be processed for its upcoming launch to the
International Space Station. Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) installation
is complete. Main Propulsion System and SSME leak checks, and ammonia
servicing are scheduled for this week.
Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to the International Space
Station. Main Propulsion System flow liner crack welding has been
successfully completed. Preparations for Space Shuttle Main Engine
installation are in work with engine installation beginning as early as this
evening.
Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to the International Space
Station. Technicians have completed all of the polishing of both the
downstream and upstream Main Propulsion System flow liner slots on Endeavour.
Welding of the cracks found in the liners is scheduled to begin today. Space
Shuttle Main Engine installation is scheduled for early next week.
Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to
the International Space Station. Technicians completed polishing of the downstream Main Propulsion System flow liner slots on Endeavour and will continue the work on the upstream liners today. Welding of the cracks found in the liners is scheduled to begin as early as this afternoon._____________________________________________
Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. Now that work is complete on Atlantis' flow liners, technicians have begun to polish the flow liner slots on Endeavour.
Welding of the cracks found in the liners is scheduled to begin early next week.
_____________________________________________Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. Now that repairs are completed on Atlantis' flow liners, the welder will begin to turn his attention to beginning similar repairs on Endeavour. Fuel cell water line servicing and replacement of window No. 6 is in work.
_____________________________________________
Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. After repairs are completed on Atlantis flow liners, welders will begin similar repairs on Endeavour.
Ammonia servicing is in work. Replacement of window No. 8 is complete and
leak checks are in work.
Processing continues for Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station. After repairs are completed on Atlantis flow liners, welders will begin similar repairs on Endeavour.
Ammonia servicing and replacement of window No. 2 are in work.