[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 07/18/90

yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/19/90)

                KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - WEDNESDAY JULY 18, 1990  11 a.m.

                    STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A

               Today,  helium will be injected into the baggies around  the
          flange  and 17-inch disconnect area in an effort to gain a better
          understanding about the leakage that occurred during the  tanking
          test last Friday.  Later today,  the baggies and sense lines will
          be removed and dye will be injected  into  the  foam  around  the
          flange.  The foam will be cut to determine if the dye reveals any
          leak paths through the foam.  Managers want to determine if   any
          leakage between baggies occurred during the test.

               The  bags  will  be  reinstalled  and the tank will be pres-
          surized early tomorrow morning to check for leaks in the baggies.
          Workers at KSC are preparing for another tanking test  next  Wed-
          nesday, July 25.

               Preparations  to  remove  auxiliary  power unit number 3 are
          continuing today.  The unit is scheduled to be  removed  Thursday
          and Friday.

                       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.  Calibrations of the inertial measurement units  were
          completed yesterday.

                       STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1

               Rigging of the main landing gear doors is underway.  Work is
          beginning to install RTG water lines and wiring in the  aft  com-
          partment.  Thermal  protection  system operations are underway on
          all areas of the vehicle.  Pre-flight tests are continuing on the
          other systems.

               The left orbital maneuvering system pod is being rotated and
          installed  in  the  transporter for transfer to the OPF on second
          shift tonight.  Leak tests and thruster replacements are continu-
          ing on the right orbital maneuvering system pod and forward reac-
          tion   control   system  (FRCS)  at  the  Hypergolic  Maintenance
          Facility. The FRCS is scheduled to be delivered to the OPF Satur-
          day for installation on Monday.   Discovery is being prepared for
          the STS-41/Ulysses flight, scheduled for launch in October.

                         STS-41 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB

               Closeout operations of the boosters are underway.