yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (11/01/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - TUESDAY, OCT. 31, 1989
STS-33 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Yesterday, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test was
successfully conducted with a simulated engine cutoff at the T-4
second mark at about 11:04 a.m. EST. The STS-33 flight crew left
KSC yesterday afternoon and will return about three days prior to
launch.
Preparations are continuing today for loading hypergolic
propellants aboard Discovery for flight. Tomorrow, the pad will
be cleared of all non-essential personnel while nitrogen
tetroxide and monomethylhydrazine are loaded in the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system storage tanks.
Also during this operation, hydrazine will be loaded onboard for
Discovery's auxiliary power units and for the solid rocket
boosters' hydraulic power units. This activity is scheduled
through Friday.
Yesterday, Rocketdyne technicians finished buttoning up the
nozzle on main engine number 2 and are installing heat shields in
that area today. Also today, technicians will finish connecting
the high pressure oxidizer turbo pump on engine 3.
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
Atlantis arrived atop the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
Sunday at 6:05 p.m. EST after making an overnight stop in
Columbus, Miss.
The orbiter was towed to the OPF at about 1:20 p.m.
yesterday for post flight deconfiguration and processing for STS-
36 scheduled for launch in February. Workers are installing the
payload bay strongbacks today and are making preparations to
power up the orbiter for post-flight systems testing.
STS-32 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
Testing of the orbiter's hydraulically operated systems is
underway this week. Yesterday, tests of the nose wheel steering
system and a brake anti-skid test were conducted. Today, a test
of the main propulsion system thrust vector control system is
planned.
STS-32 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK - VAB
The external tank and solid rocket boosters are scheduled to
be mated tomorrow. Checks of those connections will be made
shortly 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 in about one week.