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.