January 2, 2001

This is an orbiter processing report and does not necessarily reflect the chronological order of upcoming Space Shuttle flights.  Visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/schedule/schedule.htm for the latest schedule of future Shuttle missions.

MISSION: STS-98 -- 7th ISS Flight (5A) - U.S. Laboratory

Shuttle Processing Note

Troubleshooting efforts were unsuccessful, so managers decided to roll Atlantis back into VAB high bay 3 using a secondary computer processor. Managers plan to use KSC's crawler transporter No. 2 tomorrow instead of the troubled crawler transporter No. 1. First motion to the launch pad is now expected between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Wednesday. Managers are assessing the impact of this unexpected delay on the remainder of the processing schedule.

Prior to the holidays, Shuttle managers completed an extensive evaluation of the STS-98 solid rocket booster ordnance cables and determined that they are ready for flight. After through inspection, X-ray analysis and functional testing, engineers identified minor damage to an outer layer of woven metal shielding on a cable associated with the left-hand booster's lower attachment strut. The damaged area was repaired and retested. Subsequent analysis confirmed the cable's flight readiness.