yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (11/04/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - THURSDAY, NOV. 2, 1989 STS-33 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B Operations to load hypergolic propellants aboard Discovery for flight are underway today. The pad will remain cleared of all non-essential personnel while nitrogen tetroxide and monomethylhydrazine are loaded into the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control system storage tanks. Overnight, workers completed loading oxidizer into the forward reaction control system before a coolant pump at the nitrogen tetroxide farm failed. Workers are replacing it with a pump from Pad A and propellant flow operations will resume later today. Also during this operation, hydrazine will be loaded onboard for Discovery's auxiliary power units and for the solid rocket boosters' hydraulic power units. One of the two hydraulic power units on the left hand solid rocket booster was replaced last week after it was discovered that the unit came from a lot that produced at least one unit with a cracked housing. This unit will be hot fired after the propellant loading operation. Ths activity is scheduled through Friday. A helium signature leak test of the main propulsion system and main engines is scheduled for Monday. KSC managers will meet today for the Launch Readiness Review to discuss the center's readiness to conduct the STS-33 launch, recovery and landing. Shuttle managers will meet at KSC on Nov. 6-7 for the Flight Readiness Review to assess the readiness for the safe and successful conduct of the STS-33 launch, mission, landing and recovery. An official launch date is also expected to be announced at the conclusion of the review. STS-36 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 1 Yesterday, the body flap was positioned for removal of the tail cone. Also yesterday, during positioning of the elevons for post-flight inspections of the elevon cove area, the left hand inboard elevon came in contact with a work platform causing damage to nine tiles. Structural damage, if any, will be determined after the tiles have been removed. Technicians are also preparing to open the payload bay doors today. STS-32 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2 Testing of the orbiter's hydraulically operated systems is underway this week. Yesterday, a functional test of the landing gear was performed. A flight readiness test of the three main engines is planned today. Closeouts of the midbody and final thermal protection system operations are underway. Rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building is planned in about two weeks. STS-32 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK - VAB The external tank and solid rocket boosters were mated yesterday. Checks of the electrical connections will be conducted after the mate. The orbiter is scheduled to be mated in the next few weeks. STS-36 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - RPSF Technicians are building up the left and right aft solid rocket boosters. Stacking is scheduled to begin with the left aft booster this weekend.