yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (08/21/90)
Monday August 20, 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 Flight Readiness Review for Space Shuttle Mission STS-35
began this morning at Kennedy Space Center. The meeting of
mission managers is expected to last through tomorrow. Following
the meeting, a statement is expected, establishing a firm launch
date for Columbia and its ASTRO-1 payload.
At the pad over the weekend, the helium signature test on
the main propulsion system was completed with no indications of
problems. Today, pre-launch propellant servicing is continuing.
Monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide were loaded into the
orbiter's onboard storage tanks this weekend. The auxiliary power
units and the boosters' hydraulic power units have been filled
with hydrazine. Toxic vapor checks are currently in work this
morning. Propellant servicing work should be completed by this
afternoon. Tomorrow, the flight readiness test for the shuttle's
main engines is scheduled to begin.
STS-41 -- Discovery (OV 103) - OPF Bay 1
Orbiter power up occurred at 8:00 a.m. this morning as
workers continue to prepare the vehicle for rollover to the
Vehicle Assembly Building by the end of this week. Window number
six on the starboard side of the orbiter which had a small
impairment was removed and a new window has been installed.
Window sealing operations are in work today. Hydraulic operations
are also currently underway today to cycle the landing gear
closed. Thermal protection work is being conducted in parallel
with other jobs on the vehicle.
STS-38 -- Atlantis (OV 104) - OPF bay 2
The vehicle was powered up at 9:00 a.m. this morning. Tire
leak checks have been completed and the GOX flow control valves
have been installed. Thruster drying and freon leak checks are
currently in work. The 17-inch feedline has been removed from the
external tank in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The line was
shipped to the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.,
over the weekend.