yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/20/90)
Wednesday December 19, 1990 10:00 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
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STS-35 -- Columbia (OV 102) - Kelly AFB, Texas
The orbiter Columbia atop its 747 shuttle carrier aircraft
departed Dryden Flight Research Facility, Calif., yesterday
morning, stopped for fuel at Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso, Tx.,
and continued on to Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Tx., for
an overnight layover. This morning, managers conducted a weather
assessment and determined that the vehicle should continue its
journey to the preferred refueling stop at Barksdale Air Force
Base, Shreveport, La. Continuation of the ferry flight to Kennedy
Space Center this afternoon will be determined upon arrival at
Barksdale. A frontal system moving across the Florida panhandle
may present a problem.
Arrival at Kennedy Space Center will be no earlier than mid-
afternoon today and possibly as late as Thursday morning.
Once back at KSC, Columbia will be demated from the SCA and
prepared for tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building. About 36 to 48
hours of operation time is required for safing the vehicle and
removing the protective main engine tail cone before Columbia can
be moved to the VAB. About four days of deservicing is required
to safe the vehicle before ground crews can take time off for the
holidays.
STS-39 -- Discovery (OV 103) - OPF Bay 1
The right hand orbital maneuvering system pod was attached
to the vehicle last night. Electrical mates are continuing today
and are scheduled to be completed by Friday. The forward reaction
control system will be positioned and installed tomorrow evening.
Nose cap installation is complete. Main engines two and three
helium purge check valves will be installed today. Tile
waterproofing and lazer step and gap operations are in work.
Hydraulic operations to position the aerospace surfaces will be
conducted prior to power down operations, now scheduled for
Friday midnight.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the STS-39 external tank
was lifted to the twin solid rocket boosters. Mating operations
to attach the ET to the SRBs were completed last night.
Electrical and mechanical hardmate verification operations will
continue today.
STS-37 -- Atlantis (OV-104) - OPF Bay 2
Modification work to install carbon brakes on the orbiter's
wheels continue today in bay two of the Orbiter Processing
Facility. Work should be completed Thursday. Hydraulic operations
are underway to rotate the elevons and body flap up for normal
borescope inspection. The payload bay doors are scheduled to be
closed tomorrow for the holidays.