yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/27/90)
Thursday July 26, 1990 10:00 p.m.
KSC Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
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STS-38 -- Atlantis (OV 104) - Launch Pad 39-A
Following yesterday's liquid hydrogen tanking test on the
shuttle Atlantis, shuttle project managers have decided to remove
Atlantis from the pad and roll it back to the VAB for repairs.
Results of yesterday's test confirmed the existence of a leak in
the 17-inch umbilical flange joint on the external tank. Managers
have said the space shuttle Columbia will fly next on mission
STS-35.
Two rollback scenarios are currently being discussed for
Atlantis. The preferred involves not moving Atlantis until the
day before Columbia is ready to roll out to pad A, probably near
the end of the first week in August. The second scenario involves
the possible effects of tropical storm Arthur, currently working
its way northwest from the Caribbean. If Arthur is predicted to
affect weather conditions at KSC, Atlantis may be moved as early
as the first of next week.
Boil off of the liquid hydrogen remnants in the external
tank from yesterday's test was completed at 5:00 a.m. this
morning. Post tanking test operations are in work and the
rotating service structure is scheduled to be moved back around
the orbiter by 11:00 a.m. Access to the orbiter's aft compartment
is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. tonight.
Engineers decided yesterday not to perform the APU hot fire
as scheduled. Preparations are underway today to remove APU
number three on Saturday.
STS-35 -- Columbia (OV 102) - OPF Bay 2
Work continues today on the final testing of the 17-inch
liquid hydrogen disconnect. Engineers need to perform a final
flatness test before giving the final approval for flight.
Leak checks are continuing on the GOX flow control valve and
technicians are working on the high point bleed quick disconnect.
Columbia is expected to be ready for rollover to the VAB for
mating with the external tank and solid rocket boosters early
next week.
Columbia with the ASTRO-1 payload is now scheduled for
flight in early September.
STS-41 -- Discovery (OV 103) - OPF Bay 1
Preparations for the installation of Discovery's forward
reaction control system are complete. Repairs on the left hand
OMS pod thermal barrier are continuing. The right hand OMS pod
interface operations are scheduled for today. Also in work today
are water spray boiler operations, the hydraulic lifting of the
number one Shuttle main engine dome and the RTG contingency
platform fit checks.
Discovery's next mission is Ulysses. Launch of STS-41
remains on scheduled for October 5, 1990, from pad 39-B.