RSS Wrapped Around Atlantis, Endeavour Prepped for System Purge

At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, teams have closed the rotating service structure (RSS) around space shuttle Atlantis. The RSS provides access to the shuttle and helps protect the spacecraft from the elements.

Engineers have reviewed data from a lightning strike nearly half a mile from the pad on Wednesday. No issues have been seen due to the strike. An engineering team also will perform a visual inspection walkdown at the pad.

Today, science technicians will connect the forward reaction control system quick disconnects and check them for leaks, over the weekend, teams will connect and check the quick disconnects for the auxiliary power system.

Meanwhile, technicians in Kennedy's Orbiter Processing Facility-1 prepare Endeavour today for this weekend's purging of the vehicle's orbital maneuvering system chemicals.