[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 05/15/91

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

          KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991 - 10 AM


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

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Launch countdown preparations.
          - Closeouts of the aft comparment.
          - Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
          -  Mating  quick  disconnects  in  preparation  for  pressurizing
          Columbia's hypergolic propellant tanks.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Final ordnance installation Thursday.
          - Closing 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:
          - Purges of the external tank.


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

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - Auxiliary power unit (APU) leak and functional tests.
          - 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.
          - Evaluation of the main landing gear door rigging.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Installation of the brakes.
          - APU lube oil service this week.
          - Functional tests of the orbital maneuvering system pods.

          WORK COMPLETED:
          -  Removal of the forward reaction control system for transfer to
          the  Hypergolic  Maintenance  Facility.   Two  leaking   oxidizer
          thrusters will be replaced.


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

          WORK IN PROGRESS:
          - 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 left forward assembly to the stack.
          - Joint closeouts.
          - Transfer of the right aft booster to the transfer aisle.

          WORK SCHEDULED:
          - Stacking the right  aft  segment  to  the  launch  platform  on
          Thursday.