11.22.06


Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468


STATUS REPORT: S-112206


NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT


Note: NASA's Kennedy Space Center issues Space Shuttle Processing
Status Reports periodically and is the source for information
regarding processing activities associated with the vehicles and
payloads. If you are a member of the media and would like further
information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/index.html


Mission: STS-116 - 20th International Space Station Flight (12A.1) -
P5 Truss Segment
Vehicle: Discovery (OV-103)
Location: Launch Pad 39B
Launch Date: No earlier than Dec. 7, 2006
Launch Pad: 39B
Crew: Polansky, Oefelein, Curbeam, Higginbotham, Patrick, Fuglesang
and Williams
Inclination/Orbit Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles


This week at Launch Pad 39B, technicians completed prelaunch
propellant servicing in preparation for Space Shuttle Discovery's
launch to the International Space Station, set for no earlier than
Dec. 7. This servicing includes loading the fuel (monomethyl
hydrazine) and oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide) into the orbital
maneuvering system and the forward reaction control system. It also
includes loading hydrazine in the solid rocket boosters and the
auxiliary power units on the orbiter.


Space shuttle main engine ball seal leak checks were completed today.
Crew cabin and SPACEHAB leak checks are planned for Sunday.


On Nov. 28 and 29, NASA managers will hold the traditional Flight
Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center. The review is a two-day
assessment of preparations for Discovery's mission and is designed to
produce a number of key decisions about the assembly flight,
including selection of an official launch date.


If the decision is made to proceed for the opening of the launch
window, the seven-member crew will arrive for launch at the Shuttle
Landing Facility the afternoon of Dec. 3.