yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (11/30/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, NOV. 29, 1990 11 A.M.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
The STS-35 launch countdown began on time this morning at 1
a.m. at the T-43 hour mark. Liftoff is planned for 1:28 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 2. Columbia's aft compartment was closed out for
flight at 2:50 a.m. this morning.
Launch team members have verified flight software stored in
the orbiter's computers and are conducting routine checks of the
main engine controllers. Later this afternoon, the orbiter's
navigation aids will be turned on and tested.
The Broad Band X-Ray Telescope was serviced with argon this
morning. Argon freezing operations are underway today and will be
complete later this afternoon. Payload closeouts are underway and
the doors are scheduled be closed for flight at midnight tonight.
Preparations are underway for loading liquid oxygen and liq-
uid hydrogen reactants into the orbiter's power reactant storage
and distribution system tanks. This activity is planned for
tomorrow morning beginning at the T-27 hour mark.
Tanking operations to load the external tank with liquid
oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants are set to begin at 5:08
p.m. Saturday.
The seven member flight crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC
at 11:30 p.m. tonight. Commander Vance Brand and Pilot Guy
Gardner will fly in Shuttle Training Aircraft several hours after
their arrival.
Weather forecasts for launch time on Sunday indicate there
is a 70 percent chance that conditions will be within the launch
commit criteria. Scattered clouds are forecast at various levels.
Winds are predicted to be out of the east to northeast at 10-16
knots.
STS-39 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
Main engines 1, number 2026, and 2, number 2030, have been
installed in the vehicle. Engine 3, number 2029, will be in-
stalled tomorrow. Seven of 12 seals have been replaced in the
freon cooling system.
A screen test of the right orbital maneuvering system (OMS)
pod is continuing this week at the Hypergolic Maintenance
Facility.
STS-37 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Tires have been removed from the main landing gear and will
be removed from the nose gear today. The brakes are scheduled to
be removed today. Orbital maneuvering system a/c motor valves
are being checked.
Preparations are in work to drain lube oil from the
auxiliary power units. Routine post-flight checks and inspections
are continuing on the three main engines and the thermal protec-
tion system.
STS-39 BOOSTERS - VAB
STS-39 booster stacking operations are continuing in the
VAB. The right aft center segment was transferred to the VAB late
last night and will be lifted to the high bay tomorrow.