yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (01/30/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, JAN. 29, 1990
STS-36 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - LAUNCH PAD 39-A
Since Atlantis arrived at Launch Pad 39-A Friday, workers
have completed making connections between the vehicle, launch
platform and launch pad. Over the weekend, a helium signature
leak test was successfully conducted to verify there are no leaks
in the main propulsion system or main engines.
Loading of the hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's
storage tanks is scheduled for the next three days.
Monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants will be
loaded into the orbiter for use by the orbital manuevering system
and reaction control system in flight. In addition, hydrazine for
the orbiter's and boosters' auxiliary power units will be loaded
for flight.
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.
Saturday.
STS-32 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
Columbia arrived on Friday afternoon following its cross-
country ferry flight from California. The vehicle was towed to
the OPF at 8 a.m. Saturday. The payload bay doors are scheduled
to be opened late tonight. Preparations are underway to unload
the Long Duration Exposure Facility tomorrow. LDEF will be trans-
ferred in a special canister to the Operations and Checkout
Building and then to the Spacecraft and Encapsulation Facility II
for post-flight analysis.
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.
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. The nozzle extension, outer stiffener bands and
external tank attach ring have been installed on the right aft
booster. This week, the upper and diagonal struts, cables and
the aft integrated electronics assembly will be installed.
Meanwhile, closeouts of the left booster are underway in the VAB.