yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/18/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAY 16, 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.
- Pad will be reopened later today.
- Launch countdown preparations.
- Closeouts of the aft compartment.
- Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installing the doors on the aft compartment for flight Friday.
- 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:
- Final ordnance installation.
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.
- Power reactant storage and distribution system testing.
- Checks of the main propulsion system helium system.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Functional tests of the waste containment system.
- Installation of the landing gear flight wheels.
- Tests of the orbiter's flight control system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the external tank umbilical door hinge hous-
ings.
- 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:
- Leak and functional tests of the auxiliary power units.
- Installation of the brakes.
STS-48/UARS - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Replacement of a seal saver for a thruster on the right orbital
maneuvering system pod. Thruster was leaking yesterday. The bay
is cleared for this operation.
- Removal of heat shields.
- Checks of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control
system motor valves.
- Preparations to deservice lube oil from the auxiliary power
units.
- Main propulsion system leak and functional tests.
- Post flight inspections.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Preparations to offload residual hypergolic propellants.
- Shuttle main engine drying operations.
STS- 49 - ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) - VAB High Bay 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the tail cone by the end of this week.
- Installing access to the forward, mid and aft sections of the
orbiter.
- 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:
- Mating the right aft booster to the launch platform.
- Joint closeouts.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Stacking the right aft center segment this weekend.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Stacked the left forward assembly yesterday. This completes the
left solid rocket booster.