yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/18/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, DEC. 14, 1990 10 a.m. STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - DRYDEN Operations are on schedule to ready the shuttle Columbia for the return trip to Florida on Monday. Pending good weather and no problems, Columbia is scheduled to depart Edwards early Sunday morning. The 747 shuttle carrier aircraft/orbiter will be making several refueling stops across the country, including a planned overnight stay at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, be- cause of the extra weight due to Astro. Once back at KSC, Columbia will be located in the Vehicle Assembly Building for about one month, until Discovery is ready to be transferred out of the OPF. STS-39 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1 Yesterday, technicians installed the nose cap. Checks of the left orbital maneuvering system pod are underway. A test of the nose wheel steering system was conducted yesterday. A brake anti-skid test is planned today and an engine flight readiness test is planned this weekend. During this test, the engine valves will be cycled and sensors will be calibrated. This test is also conducted after the vehicle arrives at the launch pad. Discovery's right orbital maneuvering system pod is being tested at a maintenance facility on base. While that testing con- tinues, Atlantis' right OMS pod will be installed on Discovery this weekend. Discovery is being prepared for rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building the end of January. STS-37 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2 All three main engines have been removed and transferred to the VAB engine shop for routine tests and checks. Routine measurements of the liquid hydrogen 17-inch umbilical are under- way. The carbon brakes will be removed today and shipped to the vendor for inspections. Preparations are underway for removal of the right orbital maneuvering system pod tonight. The pod will be transferred to Bay 1 for installation on Discovery. Technicians are deconfiguring the midbody from the previous mission. The nose cap {_was removed yesterday. Inspections of the cavity for the forward reaction control system are continuing. STS-39 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB Booster stacking operations have been completed. Overnight, the right forward assembly was mated to the stack. Closeouts are underway on all joints. The external tank is scheduled to be mated to the boosters on Dec. 18.