yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (03/17/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990 - 11:30 a.m.
STS-31 - DISCOVERY (OV-103) - VAB HIGH BAY 1
Discovery was rolled out to Launch Pad 39-B overnight. First
motion came at 7:55 p.m. and the vehicle was harddown on the
pad's pedestals at 4:30 a.m. today. The Rotating Service Struc-
ture was moved around the vehicle this morning at 9:30 a.m.
Today, workers are hooking up support equipment between the
vehicle and launch pad. Power up is planned for this afternoon.
Preparations to conduct a helium signature leak test of the
orbiter's main propulsion system and three main engines are un-
derway. The test is planned for Monday.
The rollout was delayed about 12 hours while shuttle
managers discussed a bearing nut on Columbia's nose wheel axle.
The nut appears to be cross-threaded on Columbia and Atlantis. An
analysis is underway on Columbia's axle in California. If further
analysis indicates a problem does exist that would jeopardize
Discovery, the vehicle would be brought back to the VAB and
removed from the external tank for access to the forward landing
gear.
Launch pad operations have been rescheduled to preserve
schedule options in case of a rollback. The Terminal Countdown
Demonstration Test has been moved up to begin on Monday, March 19
and will culminate with a simulated main engine cutoff at 11 a.m.
EST Tuesday. The STS-31 flight crew will arrive Sunday to par-
ticipate in the test.
STS-35 - COLUMBIA (OV-102) - OPF BAY 1
Columbia's nose wheel axle was removed last night and
shipped to the vendor, Menasco in Burbank, Calif. The high pres-
sure fuel turbo pump for engine 2 is scheduled to arrive today
and will be installed this weekend in the engine shop. Tech-
nicians removed about 16 tiles to get access to the orbiter's
S-band antenna for troubleshooting. This antenna experienced data
losses during the STS-32 mission.
Preparations are continuing to install the Astro payload
into the payload bay early next week. Closeouts of the payload
bay and checks of payload wiring in the orbiter are underway
today to ready the vehicle for payload installation.
STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV-104) - OPF BAY 2
Preparations are underway to remove the forward reaction
control system and transfer it to the Hypergolic Maintenance
Facility for repairs. Residual hydraulic fluid has been mapped in
the aft compartment and cleaning efforts are continuing. Prepara-
tions are underway to prepare the orbiter's hydraulic system for
repositioning of the body flap. Then the tail cone can be removed
and shipped back to Dryden. Post-flight inspections and testing
will begin soon.
STS-35 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB HIGH BAY 3
Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters are underway this
week. Measurements of the boosters' alignment are scheduled this
weekend. The boosters are stacked on mobile launcher platform 3.
The external tank is scheduled to be mated next week.