Contact: Jessica Rye Vol. 1 No. 2<br /> (321) 867-6185 <br /><br />Space Shuttle Processing Status Report<br /><br />Friday, March 5, 2004 (9 a.m.)<br /><br />Note: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing Status Reports each week, and is the source for information regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and payloads. This report does not necessarily reflect the chronological order of future Space Shuttle missions. If you are a member of the media and would like further information, visit http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao.htm<br /><br />Discovery (OV-103)<br /><br />Return to Flight preparations continue on orbiter Discovery in the processing facility at Kennedy Space Center. Following the decision by NASA management to remove and X-ray the Rudder Speed Brake actuator gears, the four actuators were removed from the vehicle and sent to the NASA Shuttle Logistics Depot in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for X-ray beginning Monday. The X-ray will determine if the gears were installed correctly.<br /><br />The Body Flap actuators are installed, with a fit check set for today. The Body Flap re-installation is scheduled for Friday. Build-up of Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels and associated fittings is ongoing. The first RCC panels are scheduled to be hung starting early next week.<br /><br />Atlantis (OV-104)<br /><br />Processing of Atlantis continues at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for its future mission.<br />Installation of the C-shaped T-seals that fit between each RCC panel is beginning on the left-hand wing leading edge. Right-hand RCC spar fittings are being installed, with the first panels being placed on the vehicle starting next week.<br /><br />Remote Manipulator System hi-potential voltage tests are ongoing. Installation of window No. 2 is scheduled for next week. <br /><br />Endeavour (OV-105)<br /><br />Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which began in December 2003.<br />Thermal Protection System blankets are being removed to support removal and inspection of the Rudder Speed Brake actuators. RCC panels continue to be removed from the vehicle and returned to the vendor for inspection.<br /><br />--end--