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.