yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (06/05/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - MONDAY JUNE 4, 1990 10:30 A.M.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A
A helium signature leak test of Columbia's main propulsion
system was conducted over the weekend in an effort to locate the
leak in the hydrogen system. No leaks were detected during the
test. The leak was discovered last week during the launch
countdown tanking operation. Also this weekend, workers discon-
nected ordnance devices on the shuttle vehicle.
Today, work is focused on setting up instrumentation and
getting ready for the mini-tanking test planned for Wednesday.
For the test, liquid hydrogen will be flowed through the the or-
biter 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.
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's weight and cen-
ter of gravity will be determined tomorrow night. Atlantis will
be bolted atop 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 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 is scheduled to be
stacked on the left booster today on mobile launcher platform 2.