[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 09/25/90

yee@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Peter Yee) (09/26/90)

          KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, SEPT. 25, 1990 11:30 AM

                       STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B

               The two space suits carried aboard Discovery for contingency
          purposes will be installed in the airlock tomorrow.  Also  tomor-
          row,  the Inertial Upper Stage for the Ulysses spacecraft will be
          tested to simulate events of launch day.

               On Friday,  hypergolic propellant tanks on board the orbiter
          will be pressurized and closed out,  and ordnance devices will be
          installed and firing circuits will be checked.

               Closeouts of the orbiter's  aft  compartment  are  underway.
          This  work  includes  applying  foam to various areas of the main
          propulsion system, final inspections of various components,  main
          engine closeouts, cleaning and removing platforms for flight.

               Discovery  and the Ulysses spacecraft are being prepared for
          an October 6 launch date. The launch countdown will begin at 3:30
          a.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the T-43 hour mark,  leading up to
          the liftoff at 7:35 a.m. EDT.


                        STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A

               Leak tests are being conducted 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 the tiger team assigned to find the fuel leak.

               Details  and requirements are being identified for a tanking
          test next month.  A definite date for the test has not  yet  been
          set.

               Technicians removed an auxiliary power unit yesterday.  This
          unit will be installed on Atlantis this week for the STS-38  mis-
          sion.


                       STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2

               Freon cooling loop 2 has been serviced as part of the opera-
          tions  to replace the flash evaporator.  Tests are planned on the
          flash evaporator this week.  Preparations to install an auxiliary
          power unit in the number 3 position are underway today.  Atlantis
          is being prepared for rollover to the VAB early next month.