yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/15/89)
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. SATURDAY, OCT. 14, 1989 10:15 a.m.EDT Space Shuttle managers today decided to proceed with preparations for the launch of the STS-34/GALILEO mission from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-B on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The launch window for that date extends from 12:57 to 1:23 p.m. EDT. The engine controller in Atlantis' number two main engine has been replaced and retested. Project managers met today to review the replacement and retest process and the readiness of the launch team, and flight and ground support systems to resume the countdown. The count has been in a hold since the replace- ment decision was reached Tuesday evening. "The changeout process was accomplished with great ef- ficiency by a dedicated team often facing unfavorable weather conditions," said Robert L. Crippen, deputy director, NSTS Opera- tions. We can now proceed to launch the Galileo mission to Jupiter." The countdown will be picked up at the T-19 hour mark at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Monday. A preliminary weather forecast for launch time on Tuesday calls for 3/8 cloud cover from 3,000 to 8,000 feet, 3/8 cloud cover from 10,000 to 13,000 feet and 5/8 cloud cover from 25,000 to 29,000 feet. Winds should be out of the southeast at 10 knots with gusts to 18 knots. Temperature at launch time should be ap- proximately 83 degrees F. The overall probability of violating launch/Return to Launch Site abort constraints are approximately 30 percent, the primary threats being a 20 percent probability of rainshowers or thun- derstorms and a 10 percent chance of winds from the southeast ex- ceeding 20 knots.