yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/27/90)
Monday February 26, 1990 (as of 10:00 a.m.)
KSC Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
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STS-36 -- Atlantis (OV 104) - Launch Pad 39-A
The launch of Atlantis on mission STS-36 was scrubbed this
morning at 2:32 a.m. The launch team has been instructed to
prepare for a 48 hour recycle to Wednesday morning between the
hours of 12:00 midnight and 4:00 a.m. A minimum of 48 hours is
necessary to replenish the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
ground storage tanks and to give the launch team a well deserved
break.
Today's launch attempt was postponed due to unacceptable
weather constraints at KSC. A 2,000-foot-thick cloud deck moved
into the area at the 5,000 foot level, violating the visibility
rules for a return to launch site abort.
On the pad, the vehicle was de-tanked without incident. No
technical issues are being worked.
Following the scrub, Commander John Creighton said "we are
disappointed we didn't launch today, but are convinced that the
launch team and the mission management team made the correct
decision based on the information available. We are looking
forward to our next opportunity."
Commander Creighton, Pilot John Casper and Mission
Specialist David Hilmers will fly back to Johnson Space Center
tonight for simulation training and will return to KSC Tuesday
morning.
Weather forecasts indicate an 80 percent chance of violating
launch commit criteria during the launch period Wednesday
morning. Low cloud ceilings and cross winds remain the primary
concern.