yee@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Peter Yee) (08/28/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 1990 10 A.M.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A
Preparations are underway for the first part of installing
ordnance devices on the vehicle and for performing circuit resis-
tance checks of pyrotechnic devices. The pad will be closed on
third shift Friday (12:01 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.) while these ac-
tivities are underway. Valves in Columbia's auxiliary power
units will be leak tested today.
Pressurization of the onboard hypergolic propellant tanks is
scheduled tomorrow. Launch countdown preparations are also set to
begin tomorrow.
Yesterday, a main fuel valve actuator for main engine 2 was
replaced and retested. The faulty actuator was discovered during
Tuesday's engine Flight Readiness Test. Also yesterday, the Broad
Band X-Ray Telescope was serviced with argon. The space suits in
the airlock have been successfully tested.
Columbia and the Astro-1 payload are scheduled for launch on
Sept. 1. The launch countdown will begin at 1 a.m. EDT Wednesday,
Aug. 29, at the T minus 43 hour mark, leading up to the planned
liftoff at 1:17 a.m. EDT on Saturday, Sept. 1.
STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
Technicians are scheduled to begin cleaning operations in
the payload today in preparation for rollover to the Vehicle As-
sembly Building. A structural leak check of the aft compartment
is planned after the payload bay doors are closed. Tomorrow, the
tires and landing gear struts will be pressurized for flight. All
areas of the vehicle are being closed out for roll to the VAB,
now targeted for this weekend. The routine rollover review meet-
ing will be held this afternoon.
STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Preparations are underway to make repairs to the freon cool-
ing system. The system will be deserviced and the flash
evaporator will be replaced. Reaction control system thrusters
have been checked for moisture and functional checks of the
system's regulators are continuing. Structural inspections of the
wings are underway.