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December 12, 2002
2002 Year at a Glance

Status Reports

 December Status Reports
 
Note

For the latest Shuttle status on the web, visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/stsstat/current.htm.
For the latest launch or landing weather forecast, visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/weatstat/forecast.htm.
Visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/schedule/schedule.htm for the latest schedule of future Shuttle missions.
 

ORBITER MAJOR MODIFICATION PERIOD
Vehicle Discovery/OV-103
 

Shuttle Processing Note  (previous notes)
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.
 

MISSION: STS-107 -- SPACEHAB/FREESTAR Microgravity Research Mission
Vehicle Columbia/OV-102
Target Launch Date January 16, 2003
Target Landing Date February 1, 2003
Mission Duration 16 days
Crew Husband, McCool, Anderson, Chawla, Brown, Clark, Ramon 
Orbital Insertion Altitude/ Inclination 150 nautical miles/39 degrees
 

Shuttle Processing Note  (previous notes)
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.
 

MISSION: STS-114 -- 17th ISS Flight (ULF1) - Crew Rotation/
Multi-Purpose Logistics Module 
Vehicle Atlantis/OV-104
Official Launch Date and Time March 1, 2003
Target Landing Date and Time March 13, 2003
Mission Duration 12 days
Crew Collins, Kelly, Noguchi, Robinson
ISS Expedition Crew 7 Malenchenko, Kaleri, Lu
Orbital Insertion Altitude/Inclination 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
 

Shuttle Processing Note  (previous notes)
Atlantis continues to be processed for its March launch to the International Space Station. Payload premate test preparations are in work. Forward Reaction Control System and wheel and tire installation are scheduled for next week.

As part of the analysis under way of the crack found in the BSTRA on Discovery, technicians are inspecting similar areas on Atlantis. The initial inspections of Atlantis have found no cracks. Further inspections may be performed. Pending those activities, Space Shuttle Main Engine installation could begin as early as tomorrow.

 

MISSION: STS-115 -- 18th ISS Flight (12A) -- P3/P4 Solar Arrays
Vehicle Endeavour/OV-105
Target Launch Date Ma 23, 2003
Target Landing Date June 3, 2003
Mission Duration 10 days
Crew Jett, Ferguson, Tanner, Burbank, MacLean, Stefanyshyn-Piper 
Orbital Insertion Altitude/ Inclination 122 nautical miles/51.6 degrees
 

Shuttle Processing Note  (previous notes)
Endeavour continues its deservicing and processing in preparation for the STS-115 mission to the International Space Station scheduled in May 2003. Heat shield removal is in work and Shuttle Main Engine Removal is scheduled for early next week.

Inspections of internal propellant line tie rod assemblies also are planned on Endeavour to gather data to be used in the analysis of a crack found in an assembly on Discovery. Endeavour's inspections may begin this weekend and continue after the main engines are removed next week.
 

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12/19/2002

Curator: Kay Grinter (Kay.Grinter-1@ksc.nasa.gov) -- InDyne, Inc.
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