ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Eric Behr) (05/25/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Retest of the new multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM) involving the
orbiter and booster hydraulic system.
- Inspections and cleaning of temperature tranducers for instal-
lation in the vehicle.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of plugs instead of temperature transducers in the
main propulsion system liquid hydrogen main engine inlets. Offi-
cials determined that these transducers can be eliminated and
still meet the launch commit criteria and flight rules. An
analysis is continuing to determine if the liquid oxygen tempera-
ture transducers can also be eliminated.
- Connections of the new general purpose computer and of the new
MDM.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of six propellant temperature probes tomorrow.
- Retest of the new general purpose computer tomorrow.
- Closeouts of the aft compartment begin Sunday.
- Start of launch countdown Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the T-43 hour
mark.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, June 1. Launch window closes at
10 a.m. EDT.
STS-43/TDRS - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Gimbal test of the orbital maneuvering system engines.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Potable water servicing.
- Water spray boiler leak and functional tests.
- Main engine and main propulsion system tests.
- Functional tests of the orbital maneuvering system.
- Tests of the forward reaction control system at the Hypergolic
Maintenance Facility.
- Auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Tests of the ultra high frequency communications system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- External tank door functional test next week.
- Installation of the forward reaction control system next week.
- Tests of the nose wheel steering system next week.
- Anti-skid brake test planned next week.
STS-48/UARS - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Window polishing.
- Preparations to remove the three shuttle main engines.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Inspections of the orbiter's hydraulic system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Main engine flight readiness test.
- Flow checks of the main propulsion system helium regulators.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the three shuttle main engines next week.
STS-49 - ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) - VAB HIGH BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Purges of the freon coolant loop.
- Installation of platforms in the midbody and aft compartment.
STS-43 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB HIGH BAY 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Mating the right forward assembly.
- Joint closeouts.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- External tank mate to the boosters on June 3.
--
Eric Behr, Illinois State University, Mathematics Department
Internet: ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu Bitnet: ebehr@ilstusw@cbnewsl.att.com (Stuart Warmink) (05/28/91)
> WORK COMPLETED: > - Installation of plugs instead of temperature transducers in the > main propulsion system liquid hydrogen main engine inlets. Offi- > cials determined that these transducers can be eliminated and > still meet the launch commit criteria and flight rules. An > analysis is continuing to determine if the liquid oxygen tempera- > ture transducers can also be eliminated. This seems kind of strange. Either the sensors are needed or they are not. If they are not, why scrub the mission when they are faulty? (OK, so this time they were cracked) If they are needed - presumably to guard against dangerously high temperatures - then why fly without them? A further analysis in continuing to determine if 4 of the 5 flight control computers can also be eliminated :-) -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stuart Warmink, Whippany, NJ, USA | sw@cbnewsl.ATT.COM | Hi! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) (05/28/91)
In article <1991May28.122928.20347@cbnewsl.att.com> sw@cbnewsl.att.com (Stuart Warmink) writes: >This seems kind of strange. Either the sensors are needed or they are not. >If they are not, why scrub the mission when they are faulty? (OK, so this >time they were cracked) If they are needed - presumably to guard against >dangerously high temperatures - then why fly without them? You missed a third possibility: people are still making up their minds whether the sensors are needed or not. SSMEs have only flown about 40 times; they are still experimental engines by aviation standards. -- "We're thinking about upgrading from | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology SunOS 4.1.1 to SunOS 3.5." | henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry
fcrary@lightning.Berkeley.EDU (Frank Crary) (05/29/91)
In article <1991May28.122928.20347@cbnewsl.att.com> sw@cbnewsl.att.com (Stuart Warmink) writes: >This seems kind of strange. Either the sensors are needed or they are not. >If they are not, why scrub the mission when they are faulty? (OK, so this >time they were cracked) If they are needed - presumably to guard against >dangerously high temperatures - then why fly without them? > If what is being considered is the permanent elimination of these sensors, NASA is just being carefull. Untill they are SURE they do not need the sensors, they will not fly without them. Once they are sure the sensors are unnecessary, they will feel free to pull them. >A further analysis in continuing to determine if 4 of the 5 flight control >computers can also be eliminated :-) What would you do, then, if the one flight control computer were to fail. Note that, once the Shuttle is in orbit, it is possible for a chip to be damaged by high energy particles (unlikely, but possible so the computer cannot really be made fail-safe.) Frank Crary