[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 04/23/91

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.