yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/04/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APR. 3, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-37/GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - APRIL 5
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Launch countdown in progress with no issues.
- Loading of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the power
reactant storage and distribution system tanks.
- Eight hour built-in hold at the T-19 hour mark begins at 1:30
p.m. and extends to 9:30 p.m. tonight.
- Flight crew equipment fit checks.
WORK COMPLETED:
- First built-in countdown hold from 9:30 p.m. yesterday to 5:30
a.m. today.
- Flight crew arrived 3:45 p.m. yesterday.
- Crew briefed last night.
- Commander Steve Nagel and Pilot Ken Cameron flew practice
flights in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Activation of the orbiter's communications system tonight.
- Disconnection of the Orbiter Midbody Umbilical Unit later
today.
- Retraction of the Rotating Service Structure away from the
vehicle to the launch position at 12 noon tomorrow.
- Launch April 5 at 9:18 a.m. EST. Launch windows: Friday 9:18
a.m. - 1:25 p.m.; Saturday 9:17 a.m. - 1:26 p.m.
- Weather outlook: 60 percent chance of being within commit
criteria on Friday at the opening of the window. On Saturday,
there is a 50 percent chance of favorable weather conditions.
STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-A
LAUNCH - LATE APRIL
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Adjusting platforms for the installation of the payloads.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Hooking up ground systems to the vehicle.
- Verification of connections between the launch pad and vehicle.
- Opening of the payload bay doors.
- Preparations to load hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's
onboard storage tanks.
- Purges of the 17-inch disconnect cavity between the orbiter and
external tank.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences tunnel.
- Orbital maneuvering system tests.
- Environmental control system testing.
- Installation of heat shields around the main engines.
- Installation of the galley.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of all four external tank door bellcrank housings.
- Main engine regulator flow tests.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Transfer of the left forward segment to the Vehicle Assembly
Building.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Mating of the left forward center segment to the left booster.