[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 01/12/89

yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (01/13/89)

          KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989

                     STS-29  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  OPF BAY 1

               Preparations to transfer Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly
          Building on Jan. 19 are underway. Activties scheduled today
          include the helium signature leak test of the main propulsion
          system, closeouts and inspections of the orbiter and thermal
          protection system operations.

               A functional test of the landing gear is planned for the
          weekend. Final payload bay door closure is planned for this
          weekend and a positive pressure structural leak test is planned
          early next week prior to rollover to the VAB.


                     STS-30  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 2

               Turnaround activities currently underway include leak and
          functional tests of the auxiliary power units, checkout of the
          forward reaction control system, preparations to fill and bleed
          the hydraulic system and a test of the power reactant storage and
          distribution system.

               An assessment of damaged tiles is continuing in parallel
          with repairs. Workers are also reconfiguring Atlantis' payload
          bay for the Magellan mission.


                        STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OMRF

               Thermal protection system operations and return-to-flight
          modifications are underway. Columbia is scheduled to be
          transferred to OPF bay 1 a few days after Discovery is towed to
          the VAB.


                   STS-29 AND STS-30 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  VAB

               Closeout activities are underway to ready the STS-29 stack
          for mating with the orbiter Discovery next week.

               A leak check of the newly mated field joint was completed
          yesterday and preparations are underway to mate the left forward
          center segment to the booster stack.