baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) (11/08/89)
PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT: MISSIONS STS-32 AND STS-35
Prepared at 1:30 P.M. Nov. 7, l989
STS-32 -- SYNCOM IV-05, LDEF Retrieval
Kennedy Space Center workers are preparing to receive the
SYNCOM-IV satellite for final stages of processing next week.
SYNCOM is scheduled to be transferred from Astrotech in Titus-
ville, FL. to the Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) overnight
Monday, Nov. 13. The satellite has been at the Astrotech facility
since Sept. 6 undergoing early stages of flight preparation.
Pre-arrival platform and alignment operations have been com-
pleted at KSC, along with clean room preparations. Communica-
tions systems are ready to support processing and the CITE (Cargo
Integration and Test Equipment) test Nov. 15. Technicians have
successfully corrected problems with two land lines. Flight and
ground software systems have been checked and validated.
The satellite is expected to spend about 6 days in the VPF
before going to the pad. During that time, a launch readiness
test and a sharp-edge inspection will be held as well as the
CITE.
STS-35 -- ASTRO-1, BBXRT
Astro-1 is a payload consisting of four optical instruments
capable of performing independent or simultaneous observations of
selected targets. They are: 1) three ultraviolet (UV) telescopes
aligned to each other on an Instrument Pointing System (IPS) and
mounted to two Spacelab pallets; and 2) an X-ray telescope
mounted on a Two-Axis Pointing System (TAPS) secured by a special
support structure. The Astro-1 payload is currently scheduled to
fly aboard Columbia in April, l990. A night launch is planned.
The Astro payload is the first of a series of Astro missions that
will make precise astronomical measurements.
Processing work, including component testing, is well under-
way at KSC for all instruments. Upcoming work includes argon ser-
vicing for BBXRT and testing of the IPS, as well as electrical
wiring work. The processing teams have successfully resolved a
gyro problem on BBXRT, and are assessing the condition of a tape
recorder on the Spacelab pallet. Hardware inspections and
software tests/evaluations are also on the near-term support
schedule.
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 |