yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/24/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, APR. 23, 1991 - 11:30 a.m. STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-A LAUNCH - NO EARLIER THAN APRIL 28 WORK IN PROGRESS: - Launch scrub announced at 1:15 a.m. EDT when a pressure transducer on the high pressure oxidizer turbo pump for the No. 3 main engine failed. - Analysis of engine data. - Preparations for payload servicing operations. - Boiloff of liquid hydrogen in the external tank. WORK COMPLETED: - Draining propellants from the external tank. - Rotating Service Structure was moved in place shortly after 8 a.m. for access. WORK SCHEDULED: - Draining the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants from the fuel cell storage tanks tomorrow. - Access to the aft engine compartment tomorrow. - Payload servicing operations Thursday. - Launch no earlier than Sunday, April, 28 pending troubleshoot- ing and repairs of the no. 3 main engine. STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1 LAUNCH - MAY WORK IN PROGRESS: - Thermal protection system operations. - Landing gear functional tests. WORK SCHEDULED: - Weight and center of gravity checks tomorrow. - Attaching the orbiter to the transporter. - Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted no earlier than Thursday. WORK COMPLETED: - Final aerosurface positioning for rollover. - Payload bay doors closed for the transfer. STS-43 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2 WORK IN PROGRESS: - Preparations to drain residual hypergolic propellants from the onboard storage tanks. - Removal of ferry flight fixtures. - Inspections of the cabin air recirculation system. - Removal of the tires. - Shuttle main engine inspections. - Removal of carrier panels from around the main engines. WORK COMPLETED: - Tail cone removed. - Payload bay doors are opened. WORK SCHEDULED: - Tests of the orbiter's electrical system. - Replacement of the no. 3 fuel cell. STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB WORK IN PROGRESS: - Preparations to mate the orbiter to the external tank. - Routing cables between the tank and boosters and launch plat- form. - Closing out the solid rocket booster field joints for flight.