yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (11/15/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - TUESDAY, NOV. 14, 1989
STS-33 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Engineers are preparing to remove the two aft integrated
electronics assemblies (IEAs) from the left and right solid
rocket boosters. The IEAs act as the brain for the booster
by routing power, commands and data between the orbiter and
boosters. It was discovered by the vendor that wiring in these
two aft units could potentially have been routed such that some
wires could rub against hardware which could cause a short. Once
removed, these units will be transferred to the USBI facility
where inspectors from Bendix will verify the wiring.
Today, workers are removing closeout material, or foam, from
the IEAs to gain access to these units located in the vicinity of
the external tank attach ring. Later, ordnance devices on the
vehicle will be disconnected and the IEAs can be removed.
Closeouts of the aft compartment for flight are underway.
Purges of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks have been completed.
The launch date of mission STS-33 is being evaluated at this
time but is now no earlier than November 22, 1989.
STS-36 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 1
The last main engine was removed yesterday and taken to the
engine shop in the VAB where all three engines will undergo post-
flight checks. Deservicing of residual hypergolic propellants is
planned this week. Checks of the main propulsion system and
communications system are scheduled this week.
STS-32 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
Closeouts of the vehicle for the move to the Vehicle
Assembly Building are underway. Workers are preparing thermal
barriers around the landing gear doors and weight and center of
gravity operations are planned for early tomorrow. The orbiter
transporter will be used to transfer the orbiter from the OPF to
the Vehicle Assembly Building on November 16.
STS-32 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK - VAB
Two of the IEAs on this set of boosters could also have the
same wiring problem. These two units are being removed today for
inspections and will not be reinstalled until the STS-33 units
have been cleared for flight.
STS-36 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The left forward center was transferred to the VAB and
stacking preparations are underway.
The right aft booster is being built up in the Rotation
Processing and Surge Facility.tneff@bfmny0.UU.NET (Tom Neff) (11/15/89)
In article <35856@ames.arc.nasa.gov> yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) writes: > It was discovered by the vendor that wiring in these two > aft (IEA) units could potentially have been routed such that some > wires could rub against hardware which could cause a short. Once > removed, these units will be transferred to the USBI facility ... > The launch date of mission STS-33 is being evaluated at this > time but is now no earlier than November 22, 1989. Oh boy... What's the window for LDEF these days? Would there be a scheduling impact on subsequent missions if this SIGINT launch has to wait, say, two weeks? If anyone knows, pipe up... -- Stalinism begins at home. }{ Tom Neff }{ tneff@bfmny0.UU.NET