yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/19/90)
Tuesday December 18, 1990 11:00 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
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STS-35 -- Columbia (OV 102)
The orbiter Columbia atop its 747 shuttle carrier aircraft
departed Dryden Flight Research Facility, Calif., this morning at
10:03 a.m. EST en route to its first refueling stop at Biggs Army
Air Field, El Paso, Tx. Once at Biggs, managers will conduct a
cross country weather assessment to determine if the vehicle can
safely continue its journey to the preferred overnight stop
location at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La., or if it
can only make it as far as Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Tx.
Arrival at Kennedy Space Center is targeted for early
afternoon Wednesday.
Once back at KSC, about four days of deservicing is required
to safe the vehicle before ground crews can take time off for the
holidays. After demate from the SCA, Columbia will be transported
to the Vehicle Assembly Building where it will remain for about a
month, until Discovery is moved from the Orbiter Processing
Facility to the VAB.
STS-39 -- Discovery (OV 103) - OPF Bay 1
The STS-39 payload integration verification test continues
in the Orbiter Processing Facility. The right hand orbital
maneuvering system pod was lifted to the vehicle last night and
installation procedures are continuing today. The forward
reaction control system will be positioned and installed Thursday
night. Mass spectrometer leak checks of the main propulsion
system have been completed. Nose cap installation is complete,
pending final duct installation.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the STS-39 external tank
is being lifted to the twin solid rocket boosters. Mating
operations will commence late this afternoon.
STS-37 -- Atlantis (OV-104) - OPF Bay 2
Payload bay deconfiguration is scheduled to be completed
today. Auxiliary power unit relief valve work is in progress. APU
water valve replacement occurred yesterday as part of normal
maintenance on the units. Modifications to install carbon brakes
on the vehicle continue today. Work should be completed Thursday.