yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/11/90)
Thursday September 6, 1990 10:00 a.m. EDT
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
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STS-35 -- Columbia (OV 102) - Pad 39-A
The launch of Space Shuttle Mission STS-35 was scrubbed
yesterday at 5:40 p.m. following the detection of higher than
allowable amounts of hydrogen in the orbiter's aft compartment.
Initial indications point to a recirculation pump package for the
Space Shuttle's main engines. However, technicians will not know
for certain until they gain access to Columbia's aft compartment.
The launch team is currently in an extended scrub turn-around
posture.
Last night, the external tank was drained of its liquid
hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. Today, work is continuing
to drain and purge the onboard propellant storage tanks. Once
these tanks are drained, preparations will be made to gain access
into the aft. Also, the payload bay doors will be opened in case
a decision is made to service the ASTRO-1 payload.
The seven member flight crew departed KSC today to continue
training in the simulators in Houston.
STS-41 -- Discovery (OV 103) - Pad 39-B
A hot fire of the orbiter Discovery's auxiliary power units
is in progress this morning. The rotating service structure was
retracted early this morning following the scrub of mission STS-
35. Also in work is the Shuttle interface verification test.
The payload bay doors will be opened today at 4:00 p.m. and
the Ulysses spacecraft is slated to be installed into the payload
bay Saturday. This operation is based on a final decision to
repair the leaking freon coolant loop. Overnight, technicians
detected high concentrations of freon at the ammonia boiler vent
duct. Efforts are being steered toward possible solutions to the
loss of freon in order to preserve the opening of the Ulysses
window on Oct. 5.