[sarex] NASA's Space Shuttle Processing Status Report 11/22/06

[Arthur Rowe]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

NASA NEWS

Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468


	11.22.06
STATUS REPORT: S-112206

NASA's Space Shuttle Processing Status Report

*Note:* NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing 
Status Reports periodically and is the source for information regarding 
processing activities associated with the vehicles and payloads. If you 
are a member of the media and would like further information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/index.html



*Mission:* STS-116 - 20th International Space Station Flight (12A.1) - 
P5 Truss Segment
*Vehicle:* Discovery (OV-103)
*Location:* Launch Pad 39B
*Launch Date:* No earlier than Dec. 7, 2006
*Launch Pad:* 39B
*Crew:* Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick, Fuglesang 
and Williams
*Inclination/Orbit Altitude:* 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles

This week at Launch Pad 39B, technicians completed prelaunch propellant 
servicing in preparation for Space Shuttle Discovery's launch to the 
International Space Station, set for no earlier than Dec. 7. This 
servicing includes loading the fuel (monomethyl hydrazine) and oxidizer 
(nitrogen tetroxide) into the orbital maneuvering system and the forward 
reaction control system. It also includes loading hydrazine in the solid 
rocket boosters and the auxiliary power units on the orbiter.

Space shuttle main engine ball seal leak checks were completed today. 
Crew cabin and SPACEHAB leak checks are planned for Sunday.

On Nov. 28 and 29, NASA managers will hold the traditional Flight 
Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center. The review is a two-day 
assessment of preparations for Discovery's mission and is designed to 
produce a number of key decisions about the assembly flight, including 
selection of an official launch date.

If the decision is made to proceed for the opening of the launch window, 
the seven-member crew will arrive for launch at the Shuttle Landing 
Facility the afternoon of Dec. 3.