[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 12/06/90

yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/07/90)

            KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - Thursday, Dec. 6, 1990  9:30 a.m.

                             STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102)

               At  Hangar AF on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,  work
          is  continuing  to  disassemble  the  two  solid rocket boosters.
          Today,  thermal foam is being removed from the boosters  and  the
          aft skirts are scheduled to be removed tomorrow.  Yesterday,  the
          tunnel  covers  and  linear  shaped  charges  were  removed.  The
          boosters will be disassembled in preparation for refurbishment.

               Landing  is planned for Dec.  11 at about 11:25 p.m.  EST on
          Rogers Dry Lake Bed at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. After about
          five days of turnaround operations,  the orbiter will be  ferried
          back to Florida. The 747 shuttle carrier aircraft/orbiter will be
          making  several refueling stops across the country because of the
          extra weight due to Astro.

                       STS-39 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1

               Servicing of freon loop 2 was completed,  and  servicing  of
          loop 1 is scheduled today.  Tests of the Ku-band antenna are con-
          tinuing.  Activation and a self  test  of  the  Tacan  system  is
          scheduled.  Torque  checks  of  main  engine pumps are being per-
          formed.

               Tests are continuing to verify the internal screens  of  the
          right  orbital  maneuvering  system (OMS) at the Hypergolic Main-
          tenance Facility (HMF).  A test of the  reaction  control  system
          screens is planned today with the pod in a horizontal position.

               Installation of a getaway special beam in the payload bay is
          continuing.  Preparations are underway to braze in gaseous helium
          check valves for engines 2 and 3 today.

                       STS-37 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2

               Yesterday,   technicians  disconnected  the   left   orbital
          maneuvering system pod from the orbiter.  The pod will be removed
          tomorrow afternoon and transferred to the HMF on Saturday for re-
          quired interval testing.

               Main engine drying operations are planned today.  Next week,
          heat  shields  will  be removed in preparation for removal of the
          three main engines late next week.  Also next week,  the  forward
          reaction control systems is scheduled to be removed.


                         STS-39 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB

               Stacking  operations  are  continuing  in  the VAB.  A minor
          debond between the inhibitor and case was acceptable on the right
          forward center segment.  The segment was lifted to the  high  bay
          early this morning for mating.