yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (06/05/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - TUESDAY JUNE 5, 1990 11 A.M.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A
Today, work is continuing to set up instrumentation and
prepare for tomorrow's tanking test. The test is being conducted
as part of troubleshooting efforts to isolate a leak found in
Columbia's liquid hydrogen system last week.
Shortly after 8 a.m. tomorrow, liquid hydrogen will be
flowed through the the orbiter and into the external tank to try
to reproduce the leak. Extra sensors and mass spectrometers are
being placed in strategic areas for the test. The pad will be
cleared of all non-essential personnel early tomorrow morning.
Closeouts of the aft compartment are scheduled to be complete
today for the test.
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
Preparations to roll Atlantis to the Vehicle Assembly Build-
ing early Thursday morning are underway. Today, a structural leak
check is scheduled to be conducted. The orbiter will be powered
down and closed out tonight. Technicians will perform weight and
center of gravity checks prior to attaching Atlantis to the or-
biter 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
Plans are being formulated today to assess potential damage
to Discovery's right hand payload bay door and support equipment
used in opening the doors. Yesterday, Discovery's right door was
inadvertantly flexed for a short period of time.
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
The left forward assembly/nose cone was stacked on the left
booster yesterday on mobile launcher platform 2.