Shuttle Arm Cleared for Flight
Mission managers announced Wednesday night that Space Shuttle Endeavour’s
robot arm can complete its objectives at the International Space Station
during STS-113. The arm was bruised during efforts to troubleshoot an
oxygen leak inside Endeavour last week. Tests and analysis have now
cleared it for flight. During STS-113, the shuttle arm will be used to
lift the P1 (P-One) Truss out of the payload bay and hand it to its
station counterpart, Canadarm2. 

Managers also closed the issue with Endeavour’s flex hose assemblies. A
nitrogen and an oxygen hose have been replaced. 

Endeavour is scheduled to lift off between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday
(0000 and 0400 GMT Saturday). Managers will announce the official launch
time Thursday evening. Currently, weather forecasts indicate an
80-percent chance of favorable weather for lift off on Friday, with high
winds being the main concern.