[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 06/23/89

yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (06/23/89)

             KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989

                     STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OPF BAY 1

               Yesterday, technicians replaced the liquid hydrogen
          recirculation pump package with a new version designed to guard
          against shorting out. The first launch attempt for the STS-30
          mission was halted because of an electrical short in one of the
          recirculation pumps. These pumps, one for each engine, circulate
          liquid hydrogen through the main engines to condition them prior
          to start.

               Payload bay inspections and cleaning operations are underway
          today. The payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed tomorrow.
          Technicians are continuing to bond tiles with the cavity count
          this morning at 20. There are 17 blankets to be bonded on the
          payload bay doors once the doors are closed. One of the finishing
          touches includes painting the name Columbia on the left and right
          forward fuselage under the windows. This activity is scheduled
          next week.

               Final calibrations of the inertial measurements units are
          underway and engineers are troubleshooting connectors for the pilot's
          heads up display.

               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

               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. Preparations are underway for
          installation of the right orbital maneuvering system pod this
          weekend. The pod is currently at the Hypergolic Maintenance
          Facility where it has been readied for flight.

                       STS-33  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  OMRF

               Power down work scheduled this week includes wiring and
          instrumentation improvements and modification of the crew seats
          to allow more room for the crew when they wear the partial
          pressure suits.  Discovery will be transferred to bay 1 when
          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 center segment yesterday.
          The left forward segment was transferred to the VAB last night
          and was hoisted off its pallet early this morning for mating
          inspections. The mate is scheduled for tomorrow.

               Meanwhile, technicians are readying other STS-34 segments in
          the RPSF. The right aft booster is scheduled to be transferred to
          the VAB Sunday evening.

ch-tkr@wasatch.utah.edu (Timothy K Reynolds) (06/24/89)

In article <27454@ames.arc.nasa.gov>, yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) writes:
> 
>              KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
>                      STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OPF BAY 1
> 
>                Yesterday, technicians replaced the liquid hydrogen
>           recirculation pump package with a new version designed to guard
>           against shorting out. The first launch attempt for the STS-30
>           mission was halted because of an electrical short in one of the
>           recirculation pumps. These pumps, one for each engine, circulate
>           liquid hydrogen through the main engines to condition them prior
>           to start.

It seems to me that this redesign/replacement occured very rapidly (for a
Gov't agency, that is).  It has only been a few months since the shorting
of one of these pumps scrubbed the STS-30 launch.  Did NASA already know about
this problem an have a fix in the works?

It appears to me that this is the only way that such a 'redesign'  could have
happened so quickly.  This is especially true for a man rated system.  I
imagine that the amount of QC and testing would be considerable even though
these pumps are not used during flight (just on the pad to keep things cool).
A catastrophic failure of a recirculating pump on the pad would still cause
lots of havoc.

Does anybody out there have any specifics on these pumps and their new design?
I would like to believe NASA _did_ complete the redesign and certification in
the short time since the launch of STS-30, but I'm skeptical.

ch-tkr @wasatch.utah.edu		c/o Center for Micro-Analysis
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johnson@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Wayne D. T. Johnson) (06/27/89)

In article <2087@wasatch.utah.edu> ch-tkr@wasatch.utah.edu (Timothy K Reynolds) writes:
)In article <27454@ames.arc.nasa.gov>, yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) writes:
)>                Yesterday, technicians replaced the liquid hydrogen
)>           recirculation pump package with a new version designed to guard
)>           against shorting out. 
)It seems to me that this redesign/replacement occured very rapidly (for a
)Gov't agency, that is).  

They put a penny behind the fuse :{)>
-- 
Wayne Johnson                 (Voice) 612-638-7665
NCR Comten, Inc.             (E-MAIL) W.Johnson@StPaul.NCR.COM or
Roseville MN 55113                    johnson@c10sd1.StPaul.NCR.COM
These opinions (or spelling) do not necessarily reflect those of NCR Comten.