yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/10/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1989
STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - VAB
Yesterday, the Terminal Countdown Demonstration was
successfully completed with a simulated engine cutoff at the T
minus 5 second mark which came at 11:36 a.m. EST. The five-member
STS-29 flight crew boarded the Discovery's crew cabin to perform
voice checks with test conductors and to perform the functions
required for launch day. During the test, engineers demonstrated
a capability to perform last minute updates to the orbiter's
general purpose computers.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite and its Inertial Upper
Stage were installed in the payload bay Monday. Communications
checks are underway today between the pad and the IUS checkout
station at a facility on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Those checks are in preparation for payload testing next week.
All three oxidizer turbo pumps have been removed from the
orbiter and the last pump is being lowered down on the rail to
the mobile launcher platform today. The pumps are taken back to
the VAB engine shop for shipment back to the vendor. New pumps
are scheduled to arrive next week. The launch target is mid-March
and the official date will be set at the Flight Readiness Review.
STS-30 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2
Orbiter systems testing continues in bay 2 on Atlantis.
Workers installed one engine yesterday and are scheduled to
install the second one today and third tomorrow. New oxidizer
turbo pumps required for Atlantis' engines will be installed
later in the processing flow. Thermal protection system
operations are continuing.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
Power up testing of Columbia is continuing today. Checks of
the main propulsion system and the communications and navigations
systems are planned. The new 17-inch liquid hydrogen disconnect
valve has been installed.
STS-30 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The right aft center is in the VAB transfer aisle and mating
preparations are underway. Meanwhile, technicians in the RPSF are
preparing the right forward segment for stacking.