yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (01/28/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1989 STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - VAB Yesterday, a leak was discovered at the two-inch gaseous hydrogen pressurization line in the liquid hydrogen umbilical assembly between the external tank and orbiter. After troubleshooting the cause of the leak, engineers determined there was a slight misalignment at that connection. The umbilical assembly has been realigned and connected. A low pressure leak check of that line was successfully conducted and a high pressure leak check is planned today to verify the connection. Workers have completed connecting the tail service masts and performed a functional test of the orbiter's crew hatch. Also today, technicians are removing heat shields from one of the main engines and getting the required ground support equipment ready in case a decision is made to remove oxidizer trubopumps on the main engines. A decision is expected prior to rolling Discovery out to the pad. The Shuttle Interface Test is now targeted to begin tomorrow and rollout to the pad is now targeted for no earlier than 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. STS-30 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2 Systems testing is continuing, including check out of the newly installed right orbital maneuvering system pod, checks of the main propulsion system and check out of the water spray boilers. Payload bay reconfiguring and tile repairs are also continuing. STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1 Operations are underway to support powering up Columbia no earlier than Monday. Once the vehicle is powered up, systems can be checked out. Several weeks of testing of the main propulsion system and communications and navigation systems are planned to begin next week. STS-30 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF The left forward assembly was stacked on the left booster yesterday. Closeouts of the left field joints are at various stages of completion. Technicians are scheduled to stack the right aft booster early next week.