Constitution cleared for flight.
Monday, 10 May 2021 15:43 UTC
Orbiter Vehicle
Constitution was declared provisionally flight-worthy today, pursuant to a brief ceremony at Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility #4. NASA's crew transfer and materials-handling orbiter was towed the short distance from KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility last month prior to the completion of eight of twelve Major Systems Checkups. She remained berthed in OPF#4 while completion of the remaining checkups proceeded.
The orbiter, having completed a ten month Orbiter Maintenance Down Period (OMDP) following the successful completion of SEP-010, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and review. The entire spaceframe had been disassembled completely and inspected in detail, and the reconstruction of the vessel lasted two months beginning in January of this year.
To date, no plans for flying
Constitution have been announced, but officials and management are talking about the possibility of flying her this year to begin her full recertification trials.
Enterprise remains grounded at Edwards Air Force Base pursuant to her own ongoing OMDP which is close to completion.