How's Atlantis' processing going?

• How's Atlantis' processing going? by FransonUK on 29 Mar, 2005 08:49
• An important first thread on here given if Atlantis doesn't get a smooth run, we've not got a May launch of Discovery!
  
  Any updates?
• #1 by norm103 on 29 Mar, 2005 22:30
• Mission: STS-121 - 18th ISS Flight (ULF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
  Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
  Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
  Launch Date: Launch Planning Window July 12 - July 31, 2005
  Launch Pad: 39B
  Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak and Wilson
  Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
  
  Technicians continue work in OPF bay 1 for Atlantis' mission, designated STS-121, to the International Space Station. On orbiter Endeavour, wiring was found in a cable tray in the payload bay that showed the fasteners were causing minor chafing on the tubing surrounding the wires. Rework on Discovery is complete and borescope inspections of wire trays on Atlantis continue.
  
  Atlantis' new Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) arrived at Kennedy Space Center last week and was transported to the Remote Manipulator System lab in the VAB for checkout and final testing before installation in the vehicle. The boom is scheduled to arrive in the bay on April 4 for installation on April 6. The four Manipulator Positioning Mechanisms that will hold Atlantis' OBSS on the starboard side of the payload bay are installed. The 50-foot-long OBSS will attach to the Remote Manipulator System, or Shuttle robotic arm, and is one of the new safety measures for Return to Flight, equipping the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to inspect the Shuttle's Thermal Protection System while in space.
  
  Next week Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) stacking will begin for Atlantis' launch. The right aft booster is scheduled to be moved from the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility to the VAB and lifted onto the Mobile Launch Platform. The External Tank (ET) remains in the checkout cell for final testing. Following the completion of SRB stacking, the ET will be moved and attached to the SRBs in late April.
  
• #2 by Chris Bergin on 29 Mar, 2005 22:49
• Let's hope we never need a STS-300.
• #3 by FransonUK on 30 Mar, 2005 09:52
• Is an STS-300 going to something that has to be in place for every launch from now on?
• #4 by norm103 on 30 Mar, 2005 19:21
• i think yes but not the 42 day lunch frame but i dont know for shere.  As more food is on the ISS right now there is only anufe for 10ppl for 45 days,
• #5 by Chris Bergin on 31 Mar, 2005 01:18
• For STS-114 and 121, yes. Past that, maybe to STS-115 and that's it.
• #6 by NASA_Twix_JSC on 01 Apr, 2005 15:28
• Just want to mention that if STS-114 misses out on the May launch, she'll be bumped into Atlantis' window July 12-31 and STS-121 moved back to September I believe.
• #7 by norm103 on 01 Apr, 2005 22:55
• first srb is in the vab for sts-121
• #8 by JamesSpaceFlight on 04 Apr, 2005 16:03
• With the problems with Discovery getting ready in time at least it'll look more likely that Atlantis will be able to take her time going through the same process. Add in the way a delayed launch would push things back and chances are Endeavour will be ready after all for the third launch. So we'd be seeing all three launch in succession.
• #9 by NASA_LaRC_SP on 05 Apr, 2005 21:20
• I wonder if this is the first time we've had two mobile launch platforms in the VAB at any one time?
• #10 by FransonUK on 07 Apr, 2005 12:55
• I think we could do with hearing more from NASA on Atlantis given the relevance to STS-114
• #11 by Chris Bergin on 07 Apr, 2005 17:30
• Quote

  FransonUK - 7/4/2005  1:55 PM
  
  I think we could do with hearing more from NASA on Atlantis given the relevance to STS-114

  
  Absolutely. I think the next status report would be helpful about now.
• #12 by NASA_LaRC_SP on 09 Apr, 2005 20:50
• She's doing well (I asked) and is very much on target with extra USA guys from Discovery now working on her.
• #13 by Chris Bergin on 11 Apr, 2005 15:54
• Mission: STS-121 - 18th ISS Flight (ULF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module/Crew Rotation
  Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
  Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
  Launch Date: Launch Planning Window July 12 - July 31, 2005
  Launch Pad: 39B
  Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak and Wilson
  Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
  
  Processing continues on Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bay 1 for its mission, designated STS-121, to the International Space Station. Water coolant loop No. 2 was deserviced in support of flex hose work. Initial leak checks of the crew module were completed and determined to be good. Rudder Speed Brake work continues with seal installations, and panel rigging is in work.
  
  On Atlantis' wing leading edge, all Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels and components have been installed for flight. Left-hand lower Leading Edge Sub System (LESS) panels 1 through 22 have been installed, and left-hand upper LESS panel installation is in work.
• #14 by Chris Bergin on 29 May, 2005 13:47
• Mission: STS-121 - 18th ISS Flight (ULF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
  Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
  Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
  Launch Date: Lighted Launch Planning Window September 9 - 24, 2005
  Launch Pad: 39B
  Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak and Wilson
  Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
  
  Technicians continue power-up testing on Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 for its mission, designated STS-121, to the International Space Station. Forward-, midbody- and aft-area closeouts continue.
  
  Following the discovery of a small crack in a retract link assembly on the right-hand main landing gear, the assembly was removed from the vehicle and sent for analysis. A spare assembly was installed in the vehicle Thursday. To lower the main landing gear, a mechanical linkage released by each gear actuates the doors to the open position. The landing gear reach the full-down and extended position within 10 seconds and are locked in the down position by spring-loaded down-lock bungees.
  
  Space Shuttle Main Engine leak checks and hydraulics leak checks are complete. Final flight controls cycling is finished. Orbiter KU-Band antenna testing and flight controls aerosurface checkout also are complete.
  
  
• #15 by Chris Bergin on 04 Jun, 2005 08:25
• Vehicle: Atlantis (OV-104)
  
  Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1
  
  Launch Date: Lighted Launch Planning Window September 9 - 24, 2005
  
  Launch Pad: 39B
  
  Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak and Wilson
  
  Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
  
  Technicians continue power-up testing on Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 for its mission to the Space Station. Forward, mid-body and aft area closeouts continue. Atlantis is scheduled to be rolled from the processing facility to the VAB in mid-July.
  
  Electrical test checkout of the Orbiter Maneuvering System and Forward Reaction Control System is ongoing. Next week, technicians will begin cleaning the payload bay. Once all the work is completed, the payload bay doors will be closed in the Orbiter Processing Facility for the final time prior to flight.
  
  The third redesigned External Tank (ET-119) is scheduled to be shipped from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to KSC on June 9. It will arrive via a specially designed barge about five days later. ET-119 may fly with Atlantis on its Return to Flight mission.
• #16 by gyro2020 on 08 Jun, 2005 03:21
• NASA Space Shuttle Report video round up says she's soon to have her cargo bay doors closed ready for rollover.
• #17 by Space101 on 10 Jun, 2005 00:47
• Looks like Atlantis will have her SSMEs looked at after this was mentioned:
  
  http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=105&posts=3#M840
• #18 by anik on 10 Jun, 2005 09:38
• NASA Space Shuttle Processing Status 9 June 2005
  http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=16920
  
  Power-up system testing is 95 percent complete on Atlantis. Forward, mid-body and aft-area closeouts continue. Atlantis is scheduled to be rolled from the processing facility to the VAB in mid-July.
  
  Technicians continue to bond Thermal Protection System tiles to Atlantis, with only nine tiles remaining. Work on the Rudder Speed Brake (RSB) is complete. The 14-month process included removing, inspecting and reinstalling the four RSB actuators and panels, and the Thermal Protection System blankets. While the panels were removed, they were bead blasted and painted for additional corrosion control.
  
  Technicians began cleaning the payload bay in preparation for final door closing June 14. The landing gear functional test is scheduled for next week.
  
• #19 by Chris Bergin on 18 Jun, 2005 04:58
• Atlantis (OV-104)
  
  Mission: STS-121 - 18th ISS Flight (ULF1) - Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
  
      Location: Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 1    Launch Date: Lighted Launch Planning Window: September 9 to 24    Launch Pad: 39B    Crew: Lindsey, Kelly, Sellers, Fossum, Nowak and Wilson    Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles  
  
  Power-up system testing is nearly complete for Atlantis' mission to the Space Station. The payload bay was cleaned for flight and the doors closed. Around the hinge line of the doors, technicians installed the Shuttle's Thermal Protection System (heat shield tiles). The doors were opened to perform tile checks and closed for the final time prior to flight.
  
  Technicians continue performing nose and main landing gear cycles to check compression of new thermal barrier seals. The landing gear functional test is scheduled for the middle of next week.
  
  In the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), the External Tank (ET-120) and Solid Rocket Boosters originally scheduled to fly with Shuttle Discovery are in high bay 1. This stack will fly with Atlantis for STS-121. The liquid oxygen feedline bellows heater has been added to this tank and final foam closeouts are progressing.
  
  Endeavour (OV-105): In Orbiter Major Modification period (begun in December 2003).
  
  External Tank/Solid Rocket Booster
  
  The third redesigned External Tank (ET-119) arrived today at KSC. It will be offloaded Monday and transferred to the VAB. ET-119 is scheduled to fly with Atlantis on mission STS-115.