yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/02/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991 - 10:30 AM
STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - FLIGHT DAY 4
Hydrolasing operations are underway at Hangar AF today to
remove thermal protective foam and cork from the boosters. Disas-
sembly operations are scheduled to take about 10 days.
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) - VAB
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to roll out to Launch Pad 39-B. First motion
planned for one minute after midnight.
- Retraction of platforms away from the vehicle.
- Crawler transporter preparations for tonight's rollout.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Shuttle Interface Test to verify critical connections between
the vehicle elements and the launch platform.
- Installation of the external tank separation camera.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Launch pad validations.
- Hot fire of one auxiliary power unit tomorrow night.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preparations to replace a thruster on the right orbital
maneuvering system pod.
- Replacing vent filters in the orbiter's midbody.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the three Shuttle main engines.
- Sniff checks of the orbital maneuvering system motor valves.
ENDEAVOUR (OV 105) - PALMDALE, CALIF.
Endeavour is being prepared for delivery to KSC this week.
Today, the new orbiter is being mated to the new 747 Shuttle Car-
rier Aircraft using the Orbiter Lifting Frame.
The first leg of the cross country ferry flight, from
California to Texas, is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning. A
refueling and overnight stop is planned at Ellington Field in
Houston, Texas. The journey, from Texas to Florida, will continue
Friday. Pending favorable weather conditions, Endeavour's es-
timated time of arrival at KSC is midday Friday.
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. Endeavour
will then be towed to the Vehicle Assembly Building for powered
down work.