Connector testing taking place.Installation of a pass-through connector began Saturday at Pad 39A, where Atlantis waits for a Feb. 7 launch to the International Space Station.
Splicing the wires was the first step in the installation process, NASA spokesman Candrea Thomas said. The connector was scheduled to be installed overnight.
"By the end of third shift (Sunday) they should be done with installation and testing," said Thomas.
Electrical leads have been soldered on the outside side of the new connector. A faulty connector is believed to be the source of intermittent signals from a low-fuel sensor in the bottom of the external tank. The suspect connector, blamed for two launch attempt scrubs, is being tested in Alabama to confirm the problem.
NASA has tentatively set Feb. 7 as the launch date for Atlantis' trip to the International Space Station to deliver the European Columbus laboratory module. The connector problem has delayed Atlantis' launch by two months.
Tiny scratches found on a glass plate in both connectors were deemed not to be a problem after leak tests.
IMAGE NOTE: Click to enlarge the NASA image of Lockheed Martin engineer Ray Clark splicing wires between shuttle Atlantis' external tank and its engine cutoff sensor system. Some of the sensors gave erroneous readings during fuel-loading operations for two December launch attempts. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton.
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