yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/19/91)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, FEB. 15, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-39/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - VAB
LAUNCH - MARCH 1991
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Hooking up the launch pad power and purge air to the vehicle
elements.
- Establishing access to various parts of the shuttle.
- Preparations to open the payload bay doors.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the STS-39 payload into Discovery's bay on
Saturday.
- On Sunday, replacement of the load control assembly, the
electronic box in the aft compartment, which controls the power
load for the orbital maneuvering system thruster heaters.
- Helium signature leak test of the three main engines and main
propulsion system Monday.
- Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test Feb. 19-20.
- Flight Readiness Review Feb. 26-27.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Rollout to Launch Pad 39-A with first motion at 12:43 a.m.
- Vehicle was hard down on the pad's pedestals at about 7:30 a.m.
STS-37/GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
LAUNCH - APRIL 1991
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Connections of the crossfeed lines between the two orbital
maneuvering system pods. The high bay is closed to all non essen-
tial personnel during this operation.
- Leak tests of a bellows on water spray boiler no. 2.
- Inspections of the left inboard elevon.
- Install nose landing gear tires.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Electrical redundancy checks of the orbital maneuvering system
pods this weekend.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Main engine pump torque checks.
- Checks of the hydraulic system.
- Tests of the radar altimeter.
- Removing heat shields from around the three main engines.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Payload canister containing the Astro payload will depart the
OPF once Bay 2 is opened for normal work later today.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removed Astro payload at 1:20 a.m. this morning.
VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING
WORK SCHEDULED:
- STS-37 tank and solid rocket booster stack on mobile launcher
platform 1 will be transferred from high bay 3 to high bay 1 at
about 4 p.m.
- Next week, mobile launcher platform 3 will be moved into VAB
high bay 3, which is directly across the transfer aisle from the
external tank to be used on STS-40. MLP 3 will be prepared for
the STS-40 mission.