yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/19/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1990 5:30 PM
AFTERNOON STATUS
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A
Shuttle officials are continuing to analyze the data col-
lected during last night's tanking test.
A small investigation team is being formed to determine the
source of the leak. The team will be lead by Robert Schwinghamer
of Marshall Space Flight Center and will operate from KSC.
Several in-house teams are being formed at KSC to analyze
the data collected from last night's test and previous tanking
tests, and to determine requirements for another tanking test. In
addition, the team will review all work performed on Columbia's
main propulsion system since Columbia's last flight, STS-32.
Launch of Columbia was scrubbed last night at about 6:35
p.m. EDT when concentrations of hydrogen in the aft compartment
began climbing. The scrub was called shortly after the tanking
operation of liquid hydrogen transitioned from the "slow-fill" to
the "fast-fill" mode.
The source of the leak has not yet been pinpointed, however
data collected suggests the engine 2 liquid hydrogen recircula-
tion system is making a contribution to the leakage detected.
Officials are discussing the troubleshooting test results and
will determine a course of action for further testing.
Officials are planning to conduct a liquid hydrogen tanking
test on Columbia using additional instrumentation and television
cameras. Details and the date of the test are being discussed.
At pad 39-A, hydrogen boiloff operations are continuing this
evening. A purge of the tank will follow the boiloff. Later
tonight, the power reactant storage and distribution system
storage tanks will be drained of the liquid hydrogen and liquid
oxygen reactants. Access to the aft compartment is expected late
tomorrow afternoon.
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PREPARED BY: LISA MALONE
APPROVED: BREWSTER SHAW