yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/03/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991 - 9:30 AM
STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - FLIGHT DAY 5
Hydrolasing operations are continuing at Hangar AF today to
remove thermal protective foam and cork from the boosters. Disas-
sembly operations are on schedule.
Discovery is scheduled to land on Monday, May 6 at ap-
proximately 2:57 p.m. EDT at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Making connections between the launch vehicle and launch pad.
- Preparations to hot fire auxiliary power unit no. 2 late
tonight.
WORK COMPLETED:
- First motion of Columbia to the pad came at about 11:30 p.m.
last night. The vehicle was hard down on the pad's pedestals at
6:50 a.m. this morning.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Launch pad validations.
- Extend Rotating Service Structure at about 4 a.m. Friday.
- Helium signature leak test of the main propulsion system and
three Shuttle main engines this weekend.
- Main engine flight readiness test this weekend.
- STS-40 flight crew arrival scheduled noon Sunday.
- Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test set for May 6-7.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
STS-43 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to drain residual hypergolic propellants from the
onboard storage tanks.
- Stacking of the second booster segment, the left aft center, in
the VAB.
- Routine inspections of the 17-inch disconnect.
- Installation of a fourth power reactant storage and distribu-
tion system tank set.
- Draining residuals from the auxiliary power unit catch bottles.
- Installation of window no. 1.
- Tests of the Ku-band antenna.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the three Shuttle main engines.
- Sniff checks of the orbital maneuvering system motor valves.
ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) - PALMDALE, CALIF.
Endeavour's departure from Palmdale, Calif. has been delayed
due to adverse weather in the flight path from California to
Texas. The main concern today is turbulence over the Rocky Moun-
tains. Endeavour will remain on the ground at Palmdale until con-
ditions improve. Officials are keeping a close eye on the
weather. The ferry flight could begin tomorrow morning pending
favorable weather conditions.
Yesterday, the orbiter was successfully mated to the new 747
Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
The first leg of the cross country ferry flight is from
California to Texas. A refueling and overnight stop is planned
at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. The final leg of the jour-
ney is planned from Texas to Florida. Weather conditions could
dictate different flight paths and stops.
Once demated from the 747, Endeavour will be towed to the
Orbiter Processing Facility where the tail cone, ferry flight kit
items, the two simulated orbital maneuvering system pods, and
mock forward reaction control system will be removed. The new
orbiter's initial stay in the OPF is planned for about one week.
Endeavour will be towed to the Vehicle Assembly Building for
several months of powered down work.