yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/21/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, FEB. 20, 1990 11:30 AM
LAUNCH MINUS TWO-DAYS
STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A
Overnight, the launch team filled Atlantis' onboard storage
tanks with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants. These
reactants are combined in the orbiter's fuel cells to produce
power for the orbiter and water as a byproduct.
Today's activities include activation of the orbiter's com-
munications system, closeouts of the tail service masts on the
mobile launcher platform and installation of the crew seats in
the crew cabin.
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.
Since the countdown began, the launch team completed activa-
tion of Atlantis' navigation system, stowed some of the flight
crew equipment, performed final closeouts on the main propulsion
system and completed main engine calibrations.
The five-member astronaut crew will be participating in the
routine pre-launch activities such as practice flights in the
Shuttle Training Aircraft for Commander Creighton and Pilot
Casper, fit checks of crew equipment and review of flight data
files.
Weather forecasts indicate there is a 70 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. Clouds are forecast
between 2,000-5,000 feet and between 8,000-20,000 feet. The ex-
pected temperature at launch is between 67-69 degrees F.
NASA and contractor shuttle program managers will meet here
today for the routine launch minus two-day meeting to review any
changes in the status of preparations for Mission STS-36 since
the Flight Readiness Review.