yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/10/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1990 - 11 A.M.
STS-31 - DISCOVERY (OV-103) - LAUNCH PAD 39-B
Launch Pad 39-B was reopened for normal work at 4:30 a.m.
today after several major events: final ordnance operations,
pressurization of the orbital maneuvering system and reaction
control system propellant storage tanks and loading of the
dewars, or storage tanks, at the pad with liquid oxygen and liq-
uid hydrogen reactants. These propellants are loaded into the
orbiter's storage tanks during the launch countdown and will be
used by the shuttle's power producing fuel cells.
Charging of the telescope's nickel-hydrogen batteries
resumed last night about 10:30 and will continue until tomorrow
afternoon. The orbiter's payload bay doors will be closed for
flight early Sunday morning.
Closeouts of the aft engine compartment are underway in-
cluding final inspections, removing protective covers for flight,
installing last minute items and cleaning the area. The flight
doors are scheduled to be on the aft compartment by 8 a.m. tomor-
row morning.
Launch of STS-31 is targeted for 8:47 a.m. EDT on April 10.
The launch countdown will begin Saturday, April 7, at 3 p.m. EDT
at the T-43 hour mark. The STS-31 flight crew is scheduled to ar-
rive at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 2 p.m. that day. At this
time, the forecast indicates that there is an 80 percent chance
that weather conditions will be within launch criteria on Tues-
day.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV-102) - OPF BAY 1
Operations scheduled today include closeouts of the elevon
cove seal area and thermal protection system operations. Yester-
day, a brake anti-skid test was conducted and a functional test
of the landing gear is planned today. Ku-band antenna testing has
been completed and the antenna was stowed for flight.
STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV-104) - OPF BAY 2
Post-flight inspections, systems testing and validations of
Atlantis' major systems are underway this week. Technicians are
inspecting a bushing on the right nose landing gear door hinge.
Deservicing of the freon coolant loop number 1 is planned today.
STS-35 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB HIGH BAY 3
Technicians are performing closeouts between the external
tank and solid rocket boosters. The boosters and tank are stacked
on mobile launcher platform 3.
STS-38 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB HIGH BAY 1
Stacking operations are underway for STS-38. The left for-
ward center segment is being pinned to the left booster today.
Early next week, the left forward segment is scheduled to be
transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The STS-38 boosters
are being stacked on mobile launcher platform 1.