[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 12/05/90

yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/06/90)

           KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - Wednesday, Dec. 5, 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,  the tunnel covers  and  linear  shaped  charges  will  be
          removed.  The  boosters  will  be  disassembled  at  Hangar AF 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

               Operations  scheduled  this  week  include  freon servicing,
          tests of the Ku-band antenna,  Tacan system tests,  and tests  of
          the main propulsion system pneumatic system.

               Tests  are  continuing to verify the internal screens of the
          right orbital maneuvering system (OMS) at  the  Hypergolic  Main-
          tenance Facility (HMF).  Tests are continuing  this week with the
          pod in a horizontal position.

               A getaway special beam is being installed in the payload bay
          today. Preparations are underway to braze in gaseous helium check
          valves for engines 2 and 3 this week.

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

               The bay was cleared  of  all  non-essential  personnel  this
          morning  so  that  technicians  could disconnect the left orbital
          maneuvering system pod from the orbiter. The bay will be reopened
          later today.  The pod will  be  removed  tomorrow  afternoon  and
          transferred to the HMF on Saturday.

               Main  engine  drying  operations are planned tomorrow.  Next
          week,  heat shields will be removed in preparation for removal of
          the  three  main engines late next week.  A test of the orbiter's
          interior and exterior lighting system is  underway.

                         STS-39 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB

               Stacking operations are  continuing  in  the  VAB.  A  minor
          debond  between  the  inhibitor and case is being repaired on the
          right  forward center segment.  The segment will be lifted Friday
          night for mate.