yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/04/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3, 1990 11 AM STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B The countdown clock for Discovery's 11th flight began on time today at 3:30 a.m. EDT. The launch team in firing room 3 is now preparing to check out the main engines for tanking and for flight. Flight software in the orbiter's twin memory banks has been reviewed and computer controlled display systems have been activated. An eight-hour built-in hold is planned at the T-27 hour mark which comes at 7:30 p.m. tonight. This hold will give the launch team time to resolve any issues or catch up with countdown opera- tions prior to loading the power reactant storage and distribu- tion (PRSD) system supply tanks with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. Loading operations are scheduled to start at about 5:30 a.m. tomorrow. After final closeouts of the Ulysses spacecraft, the payload bay doors were closed for flight at about 8:17 a.m. this morning. The STS-41 five-member flight crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC at about 3:30 p.m. this afternoon. Weather predictions for launch time on Saturday indicate there is a 70 percent chance of meeting the criteria to launch. Winds are expected to be out of the east to southeast at 10 knots with occasional gusts to 16 knots. The predicted temperature is 80 degrees. Weather is not expected to be a factor in loading the external tank for flight. The launch team will begin loading the external tank with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants at 11:15 p.m. EDT Friday. The process takes about 3 hours and should be complete by 2:15 a.m. Saturday. Discovery and the Ulysses spacecraft are being prepared for liftoff at 7:35 a.m. EDT, Saturday, Oct. 6. STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A Leak tests are continuing on the main propulsion system valves, actuators and areas of the recirculation pump package to try to isolate the source of the leak. The KSC team is working with a team of specialists assigned to find the fuel leak. This week, baggies will be installed over 23 joints and the main propulsion system will be pressurized with gaseous helium. Any leakage will be monitored. Columbia is scheduled to be moved to Launch Pad 39-B Monday, Oct. 8, with first motion at 4 a.m. Details and requirements are being identified for a tanking test. Fit checks of television cameras and plexiglass doors for the aft compartment are scheduled today. These fit checks are in preparation for the tanking test. STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - VAB Atlantis was towed to the Vehicle Assembly Building shortly before midnight last night. The orbiter is being lifted over the transom this morning and will be carefully lowered into position next to the external tank. The vehicle is expected to be hard mated by tomorrow morning. While in the VAB, the vehicle elements will be mechanically and electrically connected. Those connec- tions will then be tested. Rollout to Launch Pad 39-A is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9, with first motion at 4 a.m. EDT.