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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2, the nose cap of space shuttle Endeavour is prepared for installation of thermal protection system blankets. Endeavour recently came out of a nearly two-year Orbiter Major Modification period which began in December 2003. Engineers and technicians spent 900,000 hours performing 124 modifications to the vehicle. These included all recommended return-to-flight safety modifications, bonding more than 1,000 thermal protection system tiles and inspecting more than 150 miles of wiring throughout the orbiter. Shuttle major modification periods are scheduled at regular intervals to enhance safety and performance, infuse new technology, and allow for thorough inspections of the airframe and wiring of the vehicles. This was the second of these modification periods performed entirely at Kennedy Space Center. Endeavour's previous modification was completed in March 1997.