yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/26/89)
This is the Kennedy Space Center Broadcast News Service prepared
at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, July 25th.
At the launch pad this afternoon a test procedure is being
implemented to determine the status of Columbia's auxilary power
unit number two. A hydrazine fuel isolation valve is indicating
it is in the open position when it should be closed. The valve
is one of two between the fuel tank and the APU.
A pressurization of the system is being conducted and if the
valve is stuck open to any extent, the leak rate can be
determined. The results of the leak check will be made available
to the flight readiness review team for condsideration, and a
decision will be made on whether changing the valve is necessary.
This would involve draining the APU's fuel tank, then removing
and replacing the valve.
Meanwhile, while the test is in progress, limited other work
on the pad is continuing, with the exception of clearing the
orbiter's aft main engine compartment which will be necessary
during a certain hazardous portion of the test.
At this time there has been no change in the launch date
assessment which is the end of the first week of August. The
first day of the two-day Flight Readiness Review is underway at
KSC. Whether the APU fuel valve will be changed is one of the
decisions necessary in determining a launch date. When the
review concludes late tomorrow a consensus on final launch date
is expected.
From the NASA Kennedy Space Center, this is George Diller.