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.