yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (01/06/90)
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - FRIDAY, JAN. 5, 1990 LAUNCH MINUS THREE DAYS STS-32 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-A The launch countdown began on time yesterday at 4 p.m. EST at the T minus 43 hour mark. Several additional hours of hold time have been included in the count to allow resolution of any problems associated with the newly refurbished launch pad. Since the countdown clock began, the test team has completed verifying software stored in the orbiter's computers, and preparations have begun to ready the three main engines and main propulsion system for cryogenic loading later in the count. At 8 a.m. this morning, the countdown entered its first built-in hold which extends to 4 p.m. this afternoon. During this hold, the launch team will prepare and begin loading the power reactant storage and distribution system with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants. This is the main activity for today and it is estimated to take about seven and a half hours to complete. The next built-in hold will occur at midnight tonight at the T minus 19-hour mark. This hold will last for 16 hours or until 4 p.m. Saturday and will give the team time to resolve any issues that may arise from the loading operation. STS-32 astronauts will be arriving at KSC at about 4:30 p.m., Friday to prepare for the 10-day mission. Commander Dan Brandenstein, pilot James Wetherbee, mission specialists Bonnie Dunbar, Marsha Ivins and David Low will go to the Operations and Checkout Building, have dinner and retire for the evening. One of the important events the astronauts are involved in the few days prior to launch is to acclimate their body clocks to the routine they will follow during the mission. Weather forecasts for launch time are as follows: clouds scattered at 4,000 feet, broken at 8,000 and 25,000 feet, winds are expected to be out of the northeast at 7 knots and the temperature is forecast to be 60 degrees F. There is a 60 percent chance of violating launch commit criteria because of a front moving into the area bringing precipitation and thick clouds. Launch remains scheduled for 8:10 a.m. EST, the opening of the 54 minute window. Columbia will be launched from Launch Pad 39-A on mission STS-32 for 10 days with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. at 2:23 a.m. PST on Jan. 18.