yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (01/13/89)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1989
STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
All but one of the planned tests of the main propulsion
system in the OPF have been completed and two inspections of the
main engine oxidizer turbopumps have been completed. The engine
pump data is being analyzed by NASA and Rocketdyne engineers.
Preparations for conducting the helium signature leak test
of the main propulsion system are underway today. That test is
scheduled to begin tomorrow night. Checks of the tire pressure
are underway today in preparation for flight. Engineers are
troubleshooting an oxidizer leak that occurred Monday on one of
the right orbital maneuvering system thrusters. That leak was
stabilized and the cause is being investigated.
Technicians are completing final activities in Discovery's
payload bay before the doors are closed on Friday for the
rollover. A functional test of the landing gear is also planned
on Friday. Rollover to the Vehicle Assembly Building remains
scheduled for Jan. 19.
STS-30 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2
Post-flight inspections of the vehicle's structure are about
25 percent complete and inspections of the thermal protection
system about 80 percent complete. Leak and functional tests of
the auxiliary power units are underway today.
Orbiter turnaround processing activities scheduled today
include a functional test of the star tracker, testing of the
power reactant storage and distribution system and testing of the
forward reaction control system.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OMRF
Technicians began deservicing the freon cooling system last
night in preparation for replacing some thermal material on the
edges of the payload bay doors and the interfacing areas of the
orbiter. Orbiter return-to-flight modifications are continuing as
scheduled.
STS-29 AND STS-30 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
Technicians are continuing the closeouts of the STS-29
boosters and tank. At the request of the Atlantis tile debris
team headed by John Thomas, some "pull" tests were successfully
conducted yesterday on the exterior material of the booster nose
caps and in several areas on the external tank. The team wanted
to gather data on the bonding of that material to the vehicle
elements.
Technicians are continuing the stacking operations for the
STS-30 solid rocket boosters. Yesterday, the left aft center
segment was pinned and a leak check of the joint is underway
today. The left forward center segment arrived in the VAB
transfer aisle yesterday where preparations to mate are underway.