yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/12/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUES. DEC. 11, 1990 10:25 A.M. STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) The Space Shuttle Columbia, commanded by veteran astronaut Vance Brand, landed safely overnight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Touchdown time was at 12:54 a.m. EST today, with a total mission duration of 8 days, 23 hours, 5 minutes, and 8 seconds. The crew underwent routine post-flight physicals before leaving the orbiter. The data gained from these checkups will be added to knowledge gained during longer missions as the program moves toward extended duration orbiter missions. The crew members are planning to return to Johnson Space Center with their families today. At Edwards, KSC turnaround crews had Columbia in the mate- demate device by 6:55 a.m. today. Sling, jacking, and hoisting operations are in process. An initial look at the orbiter reveals about 85 tile "dings" of various sizes. Columbia will be ferried back to KSC atop the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft within the next week. STS-39 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1 Powered-up testing was briefly interrupted when a power supply went down. However, backup power was brought on-line, and testing continued without furthur incident. Freon cooling loop #1 is undergoing vacuuming and drying. Workers are preparing for a main engine Flight Readiness Test (FRT) on Friday. STS-37 - Atlantis (OV 104) - OPF Bay 2 Removal of the main engines is scheduled to start tomorrow, with two engines scheduled to be pulled out on Wednesday and the third on Thursday. Powered-up testing continues. TACAN system testing also con- tinues. Auxiliary power unit valve resistance checks are also un- derway. STS-39 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB Stacking operations continue in the Vehicle Assembly Build- ing. The right forward segment has been pinned to the stack. Joint closeouts continue in work. The left forward segment has been lifted and will be mated today.