yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/20/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - THURSDAY JULY 19, 1990 11:30 a.m. STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A The external tank is being pressurized this morning to check for leakage at the flange and around each bolt. This evening, each of the 48 bolts around the flange will be over torqued by 10 percent. Tomorrow, the integrity of the flange welds will be in- spected with a dye penetrant test to reveal any imperfections in the welds. Workers at KSC are preparing for another tanking test next Wednesday, July 25. Two leak paths in the foam were detected around the flange yesterday by a dye injection test. These paths are being evaluated to determine if any leakage could have migrated into the larger baggie. Preparations to remove auxiliary power unit number 3 are continuing today. Replacement of the unit is scheduled tomorrow. STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2 Operations to install the 17-inch disconnect into Columbia are continuing today. Parker Hannifan representatives are scheduled to arrive at KSC this week to perform tests of the new disconnect. Workers are cleaning up hydraulic fluid that leaked from a quick disconnect onto the right inboard elevon flipper doors last night. It is estimated that about one cup of fluid leaked out. STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1 The left orbital maneuvering system pod arrived at the OPF last night and preparations are underway to install the pod tomorrow. Checks of the RTG system are continuing. Thermal protection system operations are underway on all areas of the vehicle. Pre-flight tests are continuing on the other systems. Leak tests and thruster replacements are continuing on the right orbital maneuvering system pod and forward reaction control system (FRCS) at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility. The FRCS is scheduled to be delivered to the OPF Saturday for installation on Monday. A thruster, removed from the right OMS pod for inspection of its dynatube, was damaged last night when it fell from the test support stand. The unit was not secured properly in the test stand. A spare thruster will be used in its place. An evaluation of the damaged thruster is underway to determine if repairs can be made. Discovery is being prepared for the STS-41/Ulysses flight, scheduled for launch in October.