yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (03/12/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1989
STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
The orbiter's aft compartment was closed out for flight
about 7 a.m. this morning and the first eight hour built-in hold
in the countdown was extended an additional seven hours for
closeouts, however, this is not expected to impact Monday's
launch. The time will be made up during the second planned hold.
Loading of the orbiter's power reactant storage and
distribution system tanks with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
was started this morning at about 8 a.m. During this activity,
the pad is closed to all non-essential personnel. Loading
operations are scheduled to be completed this afternoon.
The countdown will enter the second built-in hold at the T-
19 hour mark at 4 p.m. today. This hold was originally scheduled
for eight hours but has been reduced to one hour because of time
lost during aft closeouts. Inclement weather slowed closing out
the aft compartment the last few days and repairs were made to a
thermal blanket in the aft.
The launch countdown for Mission STS-29 began on time at
12:01 a.m. EST Friday at the T-43 hour mark. The count entered
its first built-in hold at 4 p.m. yesterday at the T-27 hour
mark. The countdown was resumed at the T-27 hour mark at 7 a.m.
today.
Launch remains scheduled for Monday, March 13, at 8:07 a.m.
EST. The window extends for two and a half hours or until 10:37
a.m. EST.
The weather forecast at KSC for launch day is favorable with
scattered clouds predicted at the 40,000 foot level. There is a
possibility of early morning fog with temperatures expected in
the low 60s. Light and variable to southerly winds are forecast.
There is only 10 percent chance of violating weather criteria on
launch day. Forecasters are predicting good weather on launch day
at Ben Guerir, Morocco, the primary Trans Atlantic Abort site for
this mission.
The five member STS-29 flight crew arrived in their T-38 jet
aircraft yesterday at about 4:15 p.m. Earlier today, Commander
Michael Coats and Pilot John Blaha flew in the Shuttle Training
Aircraft. The STA cockpit is configured like that of the space
shuttle. Later in the morning, all crew members, including
Mission Specialists James Buchli, James Bagian and Robert
Springer, will fly in the T-38 jets. The astronauts will also
perform fit checks of the flight equipment.