yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/22/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21, 1990 10 AM
LAUNCH MINUS ONE-DAY
STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A
All launch countdown events remain on schedule to support
Thursday's launch. Liftoff of Mission STS-36 is scheduled to oc-
cur during a four-hour period extending from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
EST on Feb. 22.
Yesterday the orbiter's communications system was activated,
the tail service masts on the mobile launcher platform were
closed out for flight and the crew seats were installed in the
crew cabin. The Rotating Service Structure was moved back away
from the vehicle to the launch position early this morning.
The five-member astronaut crew will be participating in the
routine pre-launch activities today including status briefings on
the activities at the pad and current weather updates. In addi-
tion, the crew will have time to review flight data files before
going to sleep.
Later this evening, the crew will be awakened to begin
preparations for launch. They will have breakfast, get a briefing
on the weather, don their launch and entry suits and ride to
Launch Pad 39-A. Once at the pad, the crew will be assisted with
flight crew equipment in the white room and in getting situated
in their respective seats for ascent.
Today, the launch team is busy preparing to load the exter-
nal tank with its flight load of a half a million gallons of liq-
uid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. Loading activities
will begin this afternoon and continue through early this eve-
ning.
Weather forecasts indicate there is a 60 percent chance of
violating criteria during the launch period on Thursday. The con-
cern is over predicted high winds, clouds, ceilings below 8,000
feet and rain. Winds are forecast to be from the east/southeast
direction at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots. Broken clouds are
forecast at these levels: 5,000-8,000 feet; 10,000-14,000 feet;
and 25,000-27,000 feet. The expected temperature at launch is
between 67-69 degrees F.