CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA is
poised to pick up the countdown to launch of shuttle Atlantis this week after swapping
out two suspect bolts securing a key communications antenna inside the
ship's cargo bay.
The work, which was
finished Sunday at Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39B, put NASA in position
to start a three-day countdown Thursday. Liftoff of Atlantis and six
astronauts remains scheduled for about 4:30
p.m. Sunday.
"Everything is looking
good," said KSC spokeswoman Tracy Young.
Working atop a platform and
scaffolding near the top of the shuttle's six-story payload bay, technicians
replaced two of the four bolts holding the antenna in place with longer bolts.
The engineers had feared
that the two original bolts were not adequately engaged and that the 304-pound
antenna -- located at the forward end of the payload bay -- might break free
during launch.
In that case, the antenna
could have plunged the entire length of the 60-foot-long cargo bay, causing
critical damage to the shuttle and its $372 million payload.
NASA managers ordered the
replacement work Friday. The shuttle's clamshell-like cargo bay doors were
opened that night, and technicians spent the better part of Saturday setting up
equipment for the job.
A work platform was
extended into the bay near the top of a towering room that provides access to
shuttle cargoes on five levels.
Scaffolding then was built
up on the platform, and the gangplank was fixed atop it so that a technician
wearing safety harnesses could reach the bolts.
The actual replacement work
began late Saturday and was completed Sunday.
The Atlantis astronauts are
scheduled to arrive at KSC Thursday for final launch preparations. They plan to
deliver a new central truss segment to the International Space Station.
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