yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/30/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, OCT. 29, 1990 10 A.M. STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - PAD 39-A The Flight Readiness Review is being held today here at KSC. NASA and contractor Shuttle representatives will discuss the readiness to launch the shuttle Atlantis. After the conclusion of the review tomorrow, an official launch date and time period will be announced. A flight readiness test of the three main engines is planned Wednesday. This test includes a total check of the engines' electrical system and cycling of the engine valves. Later this week, ordnance devices will be installed on the vehicle and tests of the firing circuits will be conducted. Atlantis is scheduled to be launched in early November on Mission STS-38, a classified Department of Defense flight. STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B A call-to-stations for the liquid hydrogen tanking test oc- curred on time today at about 7 a.m. Today, workers will ready the aft compartment for the test tomorrow. Chilldown of the main propulsion system lines is set to begin at 7 a.m. tomorrow. The is a diagnostic test designed to identify and pinpoint any leaks. Main propulsion system feed- lines, main engines and all associated components in the liquid hydrogen system will be investigated during tomorrow's test while the tank is being loaded with propellant. After the test, the tank will be drained and the residual liquid hydrogen will be al- lowed to boil off. The pad will be reopened sometime Wednesday. The aft compartment has been specially outfitted for tomorrow's test. Ten cameras have been installed in the aft com- partment, main propulsion system joints have been bagged and in- strumentation has been installed. STS-39 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1 Residual hypergolic propellants are being drained from the orbiter today. Offload of the oxidizer is complete and the fuel is being drained today. The OPF is closed to all non-essential personnel during this operation. The forward reaction control system is scheduled to be removed Wednesday and transferred to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility for post-flight inspections.