yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (04/21/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989 STS-30 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - PAD 39-B The power reactant storage and distribution system dewars at the pad were loaded with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants early this morning. Today, the external tank is scheduled to be purged with helium to bring the dew point to required specifications for loading and for launch. Workers are continuing with closing out the orbiter's aft compartment. Closing out the aft includes installing thermal blankets, closing out the main engines, performing inspections, removing platforms and removing protective covers. Launch countdown preparations have begun. A payload simulated launch countdown was conducted yesterday, scheduled with a mock T-zero at 2:24 p.m. yesterday. Both the Inertial Upper Stage and Magellan payload were powered up for the test. Final ordnance operations are scheduled for Saturday. The pad will be closed during these activities which involve testing the paths used in activating ordnance devices and removing safe and arm pins for flight. Launch of mission STS-30 is scheduled for April 28 at 2:24 p.m. (EDT) with a window of 23 minutes. The countdown is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, and the five- member flight crew will arrive that afternoon. STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1 Columbia's Ku-band antenna was stowed and the payload bay doors were closed last night to allow tile activities on the hinge line. Orbiter systems testing is continuing this week, including check out of the main propulsion system, water spray boilers, air revitalization system and waste containment system. Workers are installing the gaseous oxygen flow control valves this week. Thermal protection system operations are continuing. Work is underway to prepare the two orbital maneuvering system pods for installation on the orbiter. The main engines are scheduled to be installed next week. STS-33 DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 2 Structural post-flight inspections and window polishing are continuing this week. The vendor is removing the 4 and 2-inch valves for analysis. Engineers want to determine the cause of marks discovered on the umbilical area during post-flight inspections. Preparations are underway to remove the left orbital manuevering system pod. One of the jobs planned for the left pod is to repair the "clamshell" fix made prior to STS-26. STS-28 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF Yesterday, technicians mated the left forward segment to the left booster. Joint closeouts are active on the left booster. The right aft center segment is scheduled to be transferred to the VAB on Monday in preparation for stacking. At the RPSF, technicians are preparing the right hand STS-28 segments, and other segments for the next set of boosters, for stacking.