yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/10/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 1990 - 3 P.M.
LAUNCH MINUS THREE DAYS
STS-31 - DISCOVERY (OV-103) - LAUNCH PAD 39-B
The launch countdown began on time today at 3 p.m. EDT at
the T-43 hour mark. During the first hours in the count, the
launch team will review software stored in the orbiter's twin
memory banks and the computer-controlled display systems will be
activated and the backup flight system general purpose computer
will be loaded. The main propulsion system and main engines will
be prepared for cryogenic loading, orbiter navigation aids will
be turned on and tested and the inertial measurement units will
be activated.
Charging of the telescope's nickel-hydrogen batteries con-
cluded at approximately 12:47 p.m. today and the electrical
cables and battery cold-air purge ducts, used to cool the bat-
teries during the charge, are being disconnected from the tele-
scope. Payload bay and Hubble Space Telescope closeouts are un-
derway. Telescope test equipment is being removed from the
Payload Changeout Room. The "shower cap," a protective cover over
the telescope's aperture door and the cover over the low-gain an-
tenna will be removed late tonight, just hours before door
closure. At this time, the doors are scheduled to be closed for
flight at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning. The telescope will be powered
up at 6 a.m. on the day of launch.
Closeouts of the aft engine compartment were completed at 1
p.m. today.
The STS-31 flight crew arrived at the Shuttle Landing
Facility at 2 p.m. today. This afternoon, the crew will go to Pad
39-B to take a last look at the telescope and orbiter before
launch day. They will have free time the rest of the day. Wake up
time tomorrow is 5 a.m.
At this time, the forecast indicates that there is a 90
percent chance of being within launch criteria for weather for
launch time on Tuesday. Surface winds are forecast to be out of
the southeast at 10 knots gusting to 14 knots and increasing to
13-17 knots by 10 a.m. The expected temperature is 66 degrees and
7 miles of visibility is forecast. Scatterd low and high level
clouds are forecast in the area.
Launch of STS-31 is targeted for 8:47 a.m. EDT on April 10.
The launch window extends until 2:31 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.