yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/01/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31, 1990
STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A
Loading of the hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's on-
board storage tanks has been completed and the pad is scheduled
to be reopened for normal work at about noon today. This morn-
ing, the solid rocket booster's hydraulic power units were suc-
cessfully hot fired for about 20 seconds.
Technicians will begin removing heat shields and carrier
panels from around the number 3 main engine today. Shuttle
program managers have decided to replace the high pressure fuel
turbopump with a spare here at KSC. Recent tests at the manufac-
turer revealed minute imperfections in a titanium inlet on the
fuel pump. X-rays of the fuel pumps and documentation papers are
being analyzed. The reviews indicate one of Atlantis' pumps had
weld flaws which are large enough to warrant repair. However, en-
gineers have not been able to establish definitely from records
whether the repairs were performed or not.
The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test with the STS-36
flight crew is set for Feb. 2-3. The count is scheduled to begin
at 8 a.m. EST Friday and the T zero is planned for 11 a.m. Satur-
day. The STS-36 flight crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC on
Thursday afternoon to participate in this pre-launch test.
STS-32 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
The Long Duration Exposure Facility was hoisted out of the
payload bay at about 7:45 p.m. yesterday and placed in a special
canister. The canister left the Orbiter Processing Facility at
about 3:45 a.m. today for the Operations and Checkout Building
and was moved into the high bay at noon. Tomorrow, the LDEF will
be removed from the canister and placed in a special transporter
for transfer to the Spacecraft and Encapsulation Facility II
where it will undergo post-flight analysis.
Workers are preparing to remove the protective tail cone
from the orbiter and will begin post-flight inspections and
tests.
STS-31 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 2
Activities planned this week include leak and functional
checks of the three main engines and servicing the water spray
boilers with hydraulic fluid. Interface verification tests of or-
biter to payload connections are continuing this week. A flight
readiness test of the three main engines is planned this week.
This test exercises the engines' hydraulically driven valves.
STS-31 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF
The new STS-31 aft booster, previously designated for STS-
35, is being prepared for stacking in the Rotation Processing and
Surge Facility. This week, the upper and diagonal struts, cables
and the aft integrated electronics assembly are scheduled to be
installed. Meanwhile, closeouts of the left booster are underway
in the VAB.
STS-31 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF
The new STS-31 aft booster, previously designated for STS-
35, is being prepared for stacking in the Rotation Processing and
Surge Facility. This week, the upper and diagonal struts, cables
and the aft integrated electronics assembly are scheduled to be
installed. Meanwhile, closeouts of the left booster are underway
in the VAB.
STS-35 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The left aft booster is now in the VAB transfer aisle being
prepared for stacking on mobile launcher platform 3.