[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 04/21/89

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.