[sci.space.shuttle] Payload Status for 02/09/89

yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/10/89)

                         KSC Weekly Payload Status Report
                               February 9, 1989

          George Diller

          TDRS-D/IUS-9  (Discovery/STS-29)

               Ordnance installation on the Inertial Upper Stage was
          completed on Jan. 31.  These ordnances are used for the
          separation of the IUS first and second stages and for spacecraft
          separation.

               An attempt was made to install IUS/TDRS into Discovery's
          payload bay on Saturday, Feb. 4.  However, the transfer operation
          was terminated after impending interference was observed between
          the Space Station heat pipe experiment (SHARE) and the payload
          ground handling mechanism J-hooks holding the IUS/TDRS
          spacecraft.  The heat pipe is designed to move out of the way for
          payload installation, but failed to provide sufficient clearance
          by about two inches.  By removal of some bolts that hold stops up
          against which the heat pipe rotates for clearance, an additional
          ten degrees of rotation could be achieved, providing the
          necessary clearance.  The payload operation was re-initiated on
          Monday morning, Feb. 6, and IUS/TDRS was installed in the payload
          bay without difficulty by 3:00 p.m.

               Two signficant tests remain to be performed.  The Interface
          Verification Test (IVT) is scheduled for Feb. 15 and the End-to-
          End test (ETE) is scheduled for Feb. 17.


          Magellan/IUS-18  (Atlantis/STS-30)

               Functional testing of Magellan's radar, flight
          instrumentation, and the liquid propulsion module has been
          completed.  All remaining tests are associated with configuring
          the spacecraft for launch.

               The solar panels were re-attached for flight on Friday, Feb.
          3 and over the weekend were tested by illumination with electric
          lights.  Mechancial tests of the solar panels were completed on
          Tuesday, Feb. 7.

               The Inertial Upper Stage is scheduled to be delivered from
          Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on to the Vertical Processing
          Facility at KSC on Monday, February 13.

               The spacecraft is scheduled to be hoisted onto a transport
          trailer over the weekend.  It will be moved to the Vertical
          Processing Facility on Wednesday, Feb. 15 for mating to the IUS.