yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/14/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT -- FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1990 11 AM
STS-31 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Today, workers will continue making preparations for remov-
ing the auxiliary power unit 1 from the orbiter's aft compart-
ment. While the aft compartment is open, technicians will inspect
a cable in the aft compartment that shorted the heater for one of
the aft external tank struts during the STS-31 launch countdown.
Removal of auxiliary power unit number 1 is planned for second
shift tonight. The hydrazine tank will be depressurized before
the APU is removed. Replacement of the new unit is scheduled this
weekend.
The hydrazine tank for the new auxiliary power unit will be
repressurized next week. A "hot fire" is planned for early Wed-
nesday morning. This involves running the APU for about 20-30
seconds to verify its operation in the vehicle.
Yesterday, technicians safed ordnance devices on the vehicle
and opened Discovery's payload bay doors briefly while plates
were installed on the aft bulkhead to detect any contamination in
the payload bay.
Today, payload technicians will practice removing the bat-
teries from the telescope using a mock up. This exercise will
identify any problem areas in the removal operation. Operations
to remove the Hubble Space Telescope nickel-hydrogen batteries
will begin tomorrow with the battery removal occurring on Sunday
morning. The six batteries will be transferred to a battery
facility in the Vehicle Assembly Building where they will be
charged for 130 hours. The payload bay doors will remain closed
while the batteries are being charged.
Yesterday, managers announced April 25 as the new target
launch date. The two and a half hour launch window opens at 8:29
a.m. EDT that day.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
The orbiter's weight and center of gravity were determined.
Columbia is on its transporter tonight. Transfer of Columbia to
the Vehicle Assembly Building is planned for around midnight.
While in the VAB for about six days, Columbia will be attached to
its external tank before rolling out to Launch Pad 39-A.
STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Checkout of the main propulsion system is underway. A new
humidity separator was installed and checks of the tire pressure
have been completed. Checks of the left orbital maneuvering sys-
tem pod are continuing. Technicians are replacing thermal con-
trol blankets under the radiators with staple-free blankets.
STS-35 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/ EXTERNAL TANK - VAB
Preparations to mate Columbia to the external tank are un-
derway. This operation is planned through the weekend.
STS-38 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The left forward segment has been pinned to the stack and
the left forward assembly/nose cone has been attached. The right
aft booster will be stacked on the mobile launcher platform next
week after Columbia mating operations are complete.