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You're watching NASA Direct.

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Now on the NASA Space Shuttle Status Report: In the Works! NASA lays out its plan to Return to Flight this July!

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Plus: tank tasks! A test, and a swap of the Shuttles' fuel tanks are on the horizon.

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And, preparations for a September launch for Atlantis.

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The NASA Space Shuttle Status Report starts right now!

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Intro Music.

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I'm Randy Wade,  NASA test director at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and this is the NASA Space Shuttle Status Report.

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With a new launch window set for STS-114, NASA announced a plan to Return to Flight this July.

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First, on Discovery, preparations are under way for a tanking test set for mid next week to

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continue troubleshooting two issues that arose during the April 14 tanking test.

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Engineers are evaluating the liquid hydrogen sensors in the tank that gave intermittent readings during that test.

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These sensors serve as fuel gauges, signaling the Space Shuttle Main Engines to shut down

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when propellants reach a certain level in the tank.

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Engineers are continuing to evaluate a liquid hydrogen pressurization relief valve that

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cycled more times during the tanking test than is standard.

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Following the tanking test, technicians will begin preparations to roll Space Shuttle

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Discovery back to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

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Once in the VAB, orbiter Discovery most likely will be removed from its External Tank,

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lowered into the transfer aisle and later attached to the External Tank and Solid Rocket

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Boosters presently scheduled to fly with orbiter Atlantis on STS-121.

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Technicians have replaced diffusers on ET-121's liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks.

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The tank is scheduled to be attached to its Solid Rocket Boosters next week.

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A new heater will also be added to the feedline bellows on that tank to minimize the

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potential for ice and frost buildup.

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Atlantis will likely fly with ET-119. That External Tank is scheduled to arrive at Kennedy next month.

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Speaking of Atlantis, processing continues in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 for its

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mission to the International Space Station. Vehicle power-up testing is about 70 percent

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complete, and closeouts continue in the forward and aft areas of the orbiter.

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On May 11, workers performed step and gap laser testing on the Thermal Protection System. The

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laser checks the tiles to ensure they are properly installed at the correct distance and height from each adjacent tile.

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A new Thermal Protection System seal has also been added in the nose and main landing gear

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doors. Technicians performed cycles by raising and lowering the gear to check the doors for

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the proper clearance and seal compression. Atlantis is set to launch in September.

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That's all the time we have for this week's Space Shuttle Status Report.

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Remember, July 13 to July 31, 2005, is NASA's new window for Space Shuttle Discovery's Return

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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 Randy Wade for the NASA Space Shuttle Status Report.

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End Music.

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