NOTE: Shuttle managers today decided to delay the rollout of Shuttle Endeavour from OPF bay 2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building to conduct extensive wiring inspections and preventative wire maintenance in the orbiter's payload bay. In depth evaluation of payload bay wiring aboard orbiters Columbia and Atlantis revealed the potential for damaged wire to exist in Endeavour's payload bay. The additional work will delay the STS-99 launch to at least early October.
Tomorrow, workers will begin preparations to remove the SRTM payload from Endeavour's payload bay to gain access to the lower cable trays that run the length of the orbiter's midbody. Once access is established, Shuttle engineers and technicians will begin necessary inspection and mitigation efforts. The impact of this delay and the unplanned wiring work needed on the rest of the Shuttle fleet is being assessed.
NOTE: Technicians completed testing of Discovery's power reaction and storage distribution system. Shuttle main engine securing efforts and payload premate testing continue. Later this week, workers will install the orbiter's waste collection system and install the external airlock hatch.
NOTE: Orbiter Atlantis is being temporarily stored in VAB high bay 2, awaiting the departure of Shuttle Endeavour from OPF bay 2.
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