[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 05/17/91

yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/18/91)

          KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991 - 10 AM


           STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
                                   LAUNCH - MAY 22


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Pressurizing Columbia's hypergolic propellant tanks.
          - Launch countdown preparations.
          - Closeouts of the aft compartment.
          - Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
          - Removing platforms from the aft flight deck.
          - Removing access platforms from the launch platform.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Installing the doors on the aft compartment  for  flight  over-
          night.
          - Start launch countdown 5 p.m. EDT Saturday.
          - STS-40 crew arrives 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
          - Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, May 22.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Pressurized hypergolic propellant tanks for flight.

                     STS-43/TDRS - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Leak and functional tests of the water spray boilers.
          - Hot lube oil flush of the auxiliary power units.
          - Thermal protection system operations.
          -  Installation  of  the external tank umbilical door hinge hous-
          ings.
          - Preparations for main engine installation.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - APU lube oil service this week.
          - Installation of the three Shuttle main engines  beginning  Sun-
          day.
          -  Functional  tests  of the orbital maneuvering system pods next
          week.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          - Functional testing of the waste containment system.


                    STS-48/UARS - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Preparations to deservice lube oil  from  the  auxiliary  power
          units.
          - Main propulsion system post-flight tests.
          - Post flight inspections.
          - Thermal protection system operations.
          - Preparations to offload residual hypergolic propellants.
          - Shuttle main engine drying operations.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          -  Offloading  hypergolic  propellants from the orbiter's onboard
          storage tanks.


                    STS- 49 - ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) - VAB High Bay 2


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Preparations to remove the tail cone.
          - Removal of ferry flight fixtures.
          - Preparations to briefly power up the  vehicle  using  a  ground
          power  supply  to  allow  repressurization of the main propulsion
          system.


                    STS-43 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB HIGH BAY 1


          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Connecting the right aft booster to the launch platform.
          - Joint closeouts.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Stacking the right aft center segment this weekend.