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You're watching NASA Direct.

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Now on the NASA Space Shuttle Status Report: a revised launch window for Space Shuttle Discovery.

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Two loaded and one to go!

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STS-114 payloads are packing up!

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And technicians keep watch as orbiter Atlantis takes shape at Kennedy Space Center.

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The Space Shuttle Status Report starts right now!

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Intro Music.

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I'm Charlie Blackwell Thompson, NASA test director at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and this is the NASA Space Shuttle Status Report.

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Topping NASA orbiter news this week: a revised launch window for Space Shuttle Discovery's mission to the International Space Station.

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On Wednesday, April 20, NASA program managers announced the window for launch of STS-114 now begins May 22 and ends June 3, 2005.

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This optimal launch window allows time to complete necessary work for a safe Return to Flight.

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Technicians are packing payloads! On April 19 and 20, two of Discovery's three payloads were successfully

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installed inside the Space Shuttle payload transportation canister.

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The canister is like a moving van to transport the payloads to the launch pad.

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First, technicians lowered a pallet full of International Space Station spare parts into the canister.

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Once in orbit, Discovery's crew will anchor the pallet, called External Stowage Platform-2, or ESP-2, to the Station's airlock.

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Next, the Lightweight MPESS Carrier was installed. The LMC holds a Space Station attitude-control gyroscope and an orbiter tile repair test kit.

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The third payload, "Raffaello," will join the others in a few days.

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A lot of work on orbiter Atlantis worth noting this week

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New activities inside Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 include tile bonding and work on blankets for the rudder speed brakes.

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Technicians are also inspecting and preparing the Solid Rocket Boosters for mating with Atlantis' External Tank.

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Space Shuttle Atlantis has a launch window that begins July 12 and ends July 31.

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That's all the time we have for this week's Space Shuttle Status Report.

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Be sure to mark your calendars for May 22  to June 3, 2005, NASA's revised window for

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Space Shuttle Discovery's Return to Flight mission, designated STS-114 to the International Space Station!

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Until next time, log on to nasa.gov for the latest in Return to Flight and NASA mission news.

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I'm Charlie Blackwell Thompson for the NASA Space Shuttle Status Report.

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End Music.

