yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/16/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, SEPT. 14, 1990 11:30 AM
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A
Preparations are on schedule to begin the STS-35 launch
countdown at 1 a.m. EDT tomorrow. The countdown clock will begin
at the T-43 hour mark leading up to the planned liftoff at 1:28
a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Additional leak tests of the main propulsion system and the
number 2 main engine were successfully performed yesterday and no
further testing is required.
Yesterday, technicians purged the power reactant storage and
distribution system storage tanks. These tanks are loaded with
super cold reactants during the launch countdown.
Closeouts of the aft compartment for flight are continuing
today. These activities include inspections of the hydraulic sys-
tems, draining condensation from the flash evaporator, removing
protective covers from components, installing a baggie on a fuel
duct, installing gas samplers, taking closeout photos and overall
cleaning. These activities are scheduled to be completed tomor-
row and the flight doors are scheduled to be installed on the
vehicle by tomorrow afternoon.
Part of the STS-35 flight crew is currently scheduled to ar-
rive at KSC Saturday evening and the rest of the crew will arrive
Sunday.
STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Preparations are underway to load hypergolic propel-
lants aboard the orbiter this weekend. Later tonight, the pad
will be closed to all non-essential personnel for this operation
which extends until Sunday night.
An end-to-end test of the Ulysses payload was completed yes-
terday. Engineers are reviewing the data from the test today.
STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Operations to replace the flash evaporator are continuing.
Brazing operations are continuing. Tile repairs are continuing
and thermal control blankets are being installed on the forward
bulkhead. Atlantis is being prepared for rollover to the VAB the
end of the month.