yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (06/08/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - THURSDAY JUNE 7, 1990 11:30 A.M.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A
Yesterday, a liquid hydrogen tanking test was conducted on
the Shuttle Columbia and the leak did reoccur in the area of the
17-inch umbilical between the orbiter and external tank. Demating
the orbiter from the external tank will be necessary to repair a
leak in this area. The demate operation would occur in the
Vehicle Assembly Building.
Officials are continuing to analyze the data collected
during the tanking test and may run additional tests prior to
making the final decision to roll back.
The external tank was drained of the liquid hydrogen used in
the tests and boiloff was completed about 6 a.m. today. The tank
is being inerted today and the Rotating Service Structure has
been moved back around the vehicle.
Launch of STS-35 has been put on an indefinite hold until
the leak can be found and corrected.
STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Atlantis is being prepared for roll over to the Vehicle As-
sembly Building Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 noon. Carrier
panels are being installed on the vehicle. Weight and center of
gravity checks are scheduled prior to attaching Atlantis to the
orbiter transporter for tow to the VAB.
While in the VAB, Atlantis will be mated with its external
tank and solid rocket boosters.
STS-41 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
Discovery's payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed
tomorrow. Borescope inspections are being made of both the right
and left doors to gather data and locate any anomalies. The ven-
dor is scheduled to arrive this weekend to begin assessing any
damage to the right door. Discovery's right door was inadver-
tantly flexed for a short period of time last week and an inves-
tigation board is examining the issues surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, orbiter systems are being tested and verified for
the STS-41 flight scheduled for launch in October. Modifications
are continuing to implement a cooling system for the radioisotope
thermoelectric generator for Ulysses.
STS-38 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/ EXTERNAL TANK - VAB BAY 1
Preparations are underway for mating Atlantis to the exter-
nal tank. The boosters and tank are stacked on mobile launcher
platform 1.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB BAY 3
Closeouts of the left booster are underway. Protective
covers are being placed on the right aft booster for weather
protection. The boosters are stacked on mobile launcher platform
2. The STS-40 stack would be moved to Launch Pad 39-B temporarily
to make room for Columbia and the STS-35 stack in the Vehicle As-
sembly Building.