[sci.space] KSC Space Shuttle Report

baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) (11/08/89)

                     Tuesday November 7, 1989 (as of 9:30 a.m.)
 
                     KSC Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
 
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
                     STS-33  --  Discovery (OV 103)  -  Pad 39-B
 
               Overnight, the helium signature test was completed
          successfully. Though there was a slight misalignment in one of
          the pressurized hoses, the problem was quickly corrected and the
          test was completed on schedule. Also in process is work to
          replenish the liquid oxygen tanks. LOX replenishment is scheduled
          for completion today. The Modular Auxiliary Data Systems (MADS)
          recorder will be retested today. Heat shield installation on main
          engines two and three has been completed. Tomorrow, the Flight
          Readiness Test will be performed on the shuttle main engines.
 
               Today, shuttle managers are concluding their meeting at KSC
          for the Flight Readiness Review. This meeting is to assess the
          STS-33 launch, mission, landing and recovery teams' readiness for
          a safe and successful mission. A launch date and launch period is
          expected to be announced following the meeting later this
          afternoon.
 
                     STS-32  --  Columbia (OV 102)  -  OPF Bay 2
 
               Power on testing on the orbiter Columbia began this morning
          in the Orbiter Processing Facility with power up occuring at 7:00
          a.m. In addition, the external tank door latch pull test was
          completed Monday and the shuttle main engines hot gas leak checks
          were finished overnight. Heat shields will be installed on main
          engine number two later today.     Payload bay closeouts and
          inspections are continuing. Work flows are on schedule for the
          orbiter to be rolled over to the VAB November 13. Columbia is
          scheduled for mission STS-32 on which the SYNCOM satellite will
          be deployed and the LDEF satellite now in Earth orbit will be
          retrieved and returned to KSC. Launch is scheduled for December
          1989 from pad 39-A.
 
                     STS-36  --  Atlantis (OV 104)  -  OPF Bay 1
 
               The orbiter Atlantis is scheduled to be powered up at 11:00
          a.m. today. Yesterday, the orbiter's power system was validated
          and the RTG systems installed for the deployment of the Galileo
          spacecraft will be disconnected later this week.  Atlantis is
          currently scheduled for mission STS-36, a Department of Defense
          dedicated mission to be launched in February 1990.
 
                  STS-32 Solid Rocket Boosters/External Tank  - VAB
 
               Connections between the external tank and solid rocket
          boosters are being completed and testing of the connections are
          underway. The orbiter will be mated to the stack following
          rollover planned for next week.


 Ron Baalke                       |    (818) 541-2341 x260
 Jet Propulsion Lab  M/S 301-355  |    baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov
 4800 Oak Grove Dr.               |
 Pasadena, CA 91109               |

baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) (11/09/89)

            KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8, 1989
 
                     STS-33  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  PAD 39-B
 
               Today, a flight readiness test of the three main engines is
          underway. This test simulates engine start and shutdown
          sequences. In addition, the orbital maneuvering system engines
          will be gimbaled and the aerosurfaces will be cycled.
 
               Closeouts of the aft compartment for flight will begin
          tomorrow and installation of the extravehicular mobility units,
          or spacesuits, is scheduled for Friday. Checks of the regulators
          for the forward and aft reaction control systems are planned for
          tomorrow and Friday.
 
               Launch of mission STS-33 is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20,
          during a four-hour launch period that begins at 6:30 p.m. EST.
 
                     STS-36  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 1
 
               Sniff checks of the motor valves in the orbital maneuvering
          system are planned today. Heat shields and engine domes are being
          removed in preparation for engine removals scheduled for this
          weekend and early next week.
 
                     STS-32  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OPF BAY 2
 
               A visual aid for berthing the Long Duration Exposure
          Facility is being installed in the payload bay today. Final
          cleaning of the payload bay is scheduled to begin today and
          closure of the doors is planned for tomorrow. Closeouts of the
          vehicle for the move to the Vehicle Assembly Building are
          underway. The landing gears are being prepared for flight. The
          orbiter transporter will be used to transfer the orbiter from the
          OPF to the Vehicle Assembly Building next week.
 
                 STS-32 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK  -  VAB
 
               Installation of ordnance devices is planned for Friday.
          Connections between the external tank and solid rocket boosters
          are continuing. The orbiter is scheduled to be mated next week.
 
 
                         STS-36 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
 
               Instrumentation on the left aft booster is being calibrated
          today. The left aft center segment will be transferred to the VAB
          today in preparation for stacking.

 Ron Baalke                       |    (818) 541-2341 x260
 Jet Propulsion Lab  M/S 301-355  |    baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov
 4800 Oak Grove Dr.               |
 Pasadena, CA 91109               |

baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) (11/10/89)

            KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - THURSDAY, NOV. 9, 1989

                     STS-33  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  PAD 39-B

               As planned, a flight readiness test of the three main
          engines was completed early this morning. Closeouts of the aft
          compartment for flight have started along with checks of the
          regulators for the forward reaction control system. Installation
          of the extravehicular mobility units, or spacesuits, is scheduled
          for Friday.

               Activities scheduled this weekend include a hot fire of the
          solid rocket booster hydraulic power units, final ordnance
          operations, pressurizing the orbital maneuvering system and
          reaction control system tanks for flight and loading storage
          tanks on the launch tower with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
          propellants.

               Launch of mission STS-33 is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20
          during a four-hour launch period that begins at 6:30 p.m. EST.

                     STS-36  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 1

               Sniff checks of the fuel motor valves in the orbital
          maneuvering system were completed and checks of the oxidizer
          valves are planned today. Heat shields and engine domes are being
          removed in preparation for engine removals scheduled for this
          weekend and early next week. A functional test of the startracker
          is planned today and an inspection of the 17-inch flapper valve
          is scheduled.

                     STS-32  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OPF BAY 2

               Final cleaning of the payload bay began early this morning
          and closure of the doors is planned for later today. Closeouts of
          the vehicle for the move to the Vehicle Assembly Building are
          underway. The landing gears are being prepared for flight. The
          orbiter transporter will be used to transfer the orbiter from the
          OPF to the Vehicle Assembly Building at 12:01 a.m. November 16.

                 STS-32 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK  -  VAB

               Installation of ordnance devices is planned for Friday.
          Connections between the external tank and solid rocket boosters
          are continuing. The orbiter is scheduled to be mated next week.

                         STS-36 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - RPSF

               Yesterday, the left aft center segment was transferred to
          the VAB and stacking preparations are underway. Next week, the
          left forward center segment will be transferred to the VAB and
          stacked.


 Ron Baalke                       |    baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov 
 Jet Propulsion Lab  M/S 301-355  |    baalke@jems.jpl.nasa.gov 
 4800 Oak Grove Dr.               |
 Pasadena, CA 91109               |