yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (08/11/89)
Aug. 9, 1989, 10:30 a.m. STS-28 Solid Rocket Booster Recovery Status Both boosters from the STS-28 launch of Columbia were success- fully taken under tow Tuesday by crews of the two recovery ships. Initial observation of the boosters by retrieval team members has revealed no discrepancies other than one missing booster separa- tion motor cover from the frustum (nose cone) of the lefthand booster. The cover is a hinged metal door which springs open during separation motor firing and serves as a protective cover for the separation motor. There have been occasional instances in the past of the covers, which are approximately eight inches in diameter, detaching from their hinges. The recovery ship Freedom, towing the lefthand booster, is ex- pected to arrive at Port Canaveral between 1 and 1:30 p.m. EDT today. The Liberty, towing the righthand booster, is experienc- ing difficulties with the clutch of one engine and is expected about 9 p.m. The solid rocket booster disassembly and evaluation team is in place at Canaveral Air Force Station and will begin their assess- ment upon arrival of the boosters at Hangar "AF." Actual disas- sembly of the hardware will begin next week. PREPARED BY: Jerry Berg, NASA/MSFC