yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/10/90)
[These reports have been delayed because I'm on travel at the moment. -PEY]
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990 - 11:30 A.M.
STS-31 - DISCOVERY (OV-103) - LAUNCH PAD 39-B
A functional test of the Hubble Space Telescope and orbiter
resumed last night and is scheduled to be complete by midnight
tonight. The telescope's nickel-hydrogen batteries are being
charged in parallel with the testing.
Technicians are closing out the aft engine compartment this
week. Closing out the aft includes making final inspections,
removing protective covers for flight, installing last minute
items and cleaning the area. Heat shields have been reinstalled
around the number 3 main engine and the external tank was purged
with inert gas as a conditioner prior to loading with the super-
cold propellants.
Early tomorrow morning, Pad 39-B will be cleared of all
non-essential personnel for several jobs including final ordnance
operations. Following the ordnance job, the pad will remain
cleared while the orbiter's hypergolic propellant tanks are pres-
surized for flight. The last pad clear operation involves loading
the storage tanks, or dewars, at the pad with liquid oxygen and
liquid 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.
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.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV-102) - OPF BAY 1
Operations scheduled today include closeouts of the elevon
cove seal area and thermal protection system operations around
the landing gear, chin panel and S-band antenna areas. Ac-
tivities scheduled this week include a brake anti-skid test,
check out of the main engine thrust vector control system, a
final self test of the Ku-band antenna and stowage of the an-
tenna.
STS-38 - ATLANTIS (OV-104) - OPF BAY 2
Post-flight inspections, systems testing and validations of
Atlantis' major systems are underway this week. A functional test
of the radiators was successfully completed yesterday. The brakes
have been installed and the wheels are scheduled to be installed
on the main landing gears today.
STS-35 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB HIGH BAY 3
Technicians are routing cables 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 aft
center segment has been mated and a leak check of that field
joint is underway. The left forward center segment is scheduled
to be transferred to the Vehicle Assembly Building today for
stacking on mobile launcher platform 1.