This extra work is not expected to delay the mating of the external tank to the SRBs scheduled for next Thursday. On Tuesday, Atlantis will be demated from the old stack and moved to OPF bay 3 where some power-on operations will be conducted and perishable items replaced in the Spacehab. Atlantis remains on schedule to return to the VAB on Aug. 13 to be mated to the new set of SRBs. Auxiliary power unit no. 1 will be installed later today. The remote manipulator system was installed into the payload bay yesterday.
Preparations continue for installation of the reaction control system pods.
Preparations remain on schedule to transport Endeavour to the Shuttle Landing Facility early Monday morning for mate with the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft at the Mate-Demate Device. Endeavour is being sent to Palmdale, CA, for its first Orbiter Maintenance Down Period. Endeavour's ferry flight will begin at first light Tuesday morning and will include an overnight stop at Ft. The trip will continue Wednesday with an expected arrival at Palmdale early Wednesday afternoon. Endeavour's OMDP is scheduled to last about eight months.