yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/09/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991 - 11:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to load hypergolic propellants onboard the or-
biter. The pad will be cleared later tonight for this operation.
- Launch Readiness Review this afternoon.
- Inspections of the Spacelab module for damage that could have
been caused by a portable breathing unit that fell from the for-
ward structure of the module to the aft end. (See concerns.)
WORK COMPLETED:
- Calibration of the inertial measurement units.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Loading hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system storage tanks.
Auxiliary power units and solid rocket booster hydraulic power
units will be serviced with hydrazine as part of this operation
tomorrow.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
CONCERNS:
- The emergency breathing unit weighs about 10-20 pounds and is
about 12 by 12 inches. An inspection of the module is underway
today. Officials want to understand how and when the unit came
loose and fell. Initial inspections show no damage to the module.
STS-43 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests.
- Power reactant storage and distribution system testing.
- Tests of the Tacan system and the S-band antenna.
- Checks of the main propulsion system helium system.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of the potty yesterday.
STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Offloading of residual propellant from the fuel cell storage
tanks. (Certain areas are cleared for this operation.)
- Installing access platforms in various areas including the aft
compartment.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Opening of the payload bay doors Friday.
- Post flight inspections
- Replacement of thermal barriers between tiles on the orbiter's
belly. About twice as many fillers as usual will have to be re-
placed because of over-temperature conditions experienced during
this particular re-entry. Initial indications are that about 10
tiles will need to be replaced as a result of the over-
temperature conditions.
ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) - VAB Transfer Aisle
Endeavour was towed to the Vehicle Assembly Building over-
night arriving in the transfer aisle at approximately 3:30 a.m.
today. The orbiter will be moved to high bay 2 on Friday where it
will be jacked and leveled. Next week, the orbiter's weight and
center of gravity will be determined. Tail cone removal opera-
tions are planned the end of next week.
TURN BASIN
Today, external tank no. 52, earmarked for the STS-44 mis-
sion in November, is scheduled to arrive by barge in KSC's turn
basin at Complex 39.