yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (06/27/89)
[I seem to have mistakenly sent this to sci.space. Apologies to those of you
who get it twice. -PEY]
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
Columbia's payload bay doors were closed early Saturday
morning. Technicians are closing out the elevon flipper doors
today in preparation for a frequency response test of the
orbiter's aerosurfaces. Later in the week, the orbiter's vent
doors and external tank doors will be positioned for the rollover
and the doors will be put on the aft compartment. Structural leak
checks of the vehicle are also planned this week.
Technicians are continuing to bond thermal blankets on the
payload bay doors. One of the finishing touches includes painting
the name Columbia on the left and right forward fusleage under
the windows. This activity is scheduled this week.
Columbia's target date for tow to the Vehicle Assembly
Building is no earlier than June 30. The date is being assessed
and depends on when the payload bay is actually closed for the
move. While in the VAB, Columbia will be mated with its external
tank and solid rocket boosters.
STS-34 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Tires for the main landing gear are scheduled to be
installed today. This past weekend, the right orbital maneuvering
system pod was installed and electrically mated to the orbiter.
The left orbital maneuvering system pod will be removed next
month for a period of about three weeks to allow work to prepare
it for the next mission. Coolant lines have been installed for
the radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), used to power
the Galileo spacecraft, and leak checks of the lines this week.
Orbiter systems will be tested this week.
STS-33 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OMRF
Power down work and modifications continue this week in the
forward, mid and aft sections of the orbiter. Discovery will be
transferred to bay 1 shortly after Columbia is moved to the VAB.
STS-28 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
Closeouts of the boosters and tank are underway in
preparation for mating with the orbiter Columbia.
STS-34 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF
Workers attached the left forward segment last weekend. The
right aft booster was transferred to the VAB this morning for
mating inspections. Meanwhile, technicians are readying other
STS-34 segments in the RPSF.