KSC-05pd-0488

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, one of the orbiter Discovery’s payload bay doors is nearly upright as it closes. Seen in the center and at left (starboard side) are the new Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) and the Remote Manipulator System (RMS), both Canadian-built. The OBSS is one of the new safety measures for Return to Flight, equipping the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to inspect the Shuttle's Thermal Protection System while in space. It attaches to the RMS. After door closure, Discovery will roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Once arriving in the VAB, a sling will be attached to Discovery and the vehicle will be lifted up and lowered between its twin Solid Rocket Boosters and mated, or attached, to its redesigned External Tank. Once mated, the fully assembled Space Shuttle stack will undergo final closeouts including installation of the new digital camera in the orbiter, electrical and mechanical attachments, umbilical checks, and the interface verification test. Discovery is slated to fly mission STS-114. The launch planning window is May 15 to June 3, 2005.