SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468
*08.01.07 - 5:43 p.m. EDT* At Launch Pad 39A, preparations continue for the launch of Endeavour on STS-118, currently targeted for launch at 7:02 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Engineers are working to resolve an abnormal leak rate in Endeavour's crew cabin. The problem has been traced to one of two positive pressure-relief valves which ensure that the crew cabin does not become over-pressurized. Workers plan to remove and replace the suspect valve using a valve from Atlantis. This work will begin tonight and be completed on Thursday.
The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002, and the first mission for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, the teacher-turned-astronaut whose association with NASA began more than 20 years ago.
*Mission Information* + STS-118 Mission Overview http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/index.html + STS-118 Fact Sheet (900 Kb PDF) http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/182903main_STS118%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf + STS-118 Briefing Animations http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts118/multimedia/sts118_anim_07102007.html + STS-117 Mission Archive http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/main/index.html