yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (05/03/89)
KSC Shuttle Status Report - Wednesday, May 3, 1989
STS-30 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - PAD 39-B
The orbiter's aft compartment was closed for flight at about
5 a.m. today. In addition, the orbiter's communciations systems
have been activated. This morning, checks of the three main
engines are being conducted. Later today, preparations will begin
to move the Rotating Service Structure away from the vehicle and
to the launch position. Film is being installed in the cameras at
the pad today and the tail service masts will be closed out for
launch.
Yesterday, flight software loaded into the orbiter's
computers was checked and verified and the orbiter's navigation
system was tested. The Fluids Experiment Apparatus was removed
from the mid deck locker for pressure checks of the five sealed
pyrex tubes containing material samples. The experiment has been
reinstalled.
The launch countdown for STS-30 began at 8 a.m. yesterday at
the T minus 43 hour mark. A careful review of the countdown
procedure was conducted to assess which operations need to be
repeated. Some reconstruction of the countdown was required and
several holds were deleted and or reduced.
Two eight-hour built-in holds, at T-27 hours and at T-19
hours, have been deleted. The first hold will occur at the T
minus 11 hour mark at 4 p.m. today. The hold will last for 7
hours, 28 minutes or until 11:28 p.m. tonight. Retraction of the
Rotating Service Structure is scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight.
The remaining holds will be standard for countdowns: one
hour at the T-6 hour mark, two hours at the T-3 hour mark, and 10
minutes at the T-20 minute and T-9 minute marks. Since there is a
64 minute launch window on Thursday, the additional 30 minutes of
hold has been deleted at the T-9 minute mark.
STS-30 crew members arrived at the KSC Shuttle Landing
Facility at 5:30 p.m. EDT yesterday in preparation for launch.
They will practice flying in the T-38 jets today and will receive
a status briefing on the vehicle and weather.
Weather forecasts for Thursday's launch are being monitored.
There is a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms or rainshowers in
the area at the time of launch. Winds are predicted to be from
the east at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. Temperature expected is
84 degrees with seven miles visibility. There is a 30 percent
chance of violating launch or return to launch site weather
criteria.
Launch of Atlantis' fourth trip into space is set for the
opening of the 64 minute launch window or at 1:48 p.m. EDT.