yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (12/16/88)
[Note: I will be on vacation from 12/20 through 1/3. I will not be posting any articles during this time. -PEY] KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Thursday, Dec. 15, 1988 STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1 Verification testing of the right hand orbital maneuvering system pod and the forward reaction control system is continuing today. Preparations for a functional check of the waste containment system are underway. Payload bay reconfiguration activities are continuing. Measurements and checkout of the brakes are planned today. STS-30 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2 Atlantis is now jacked and leveled in bay 2 and tail cone removal activities are underway. The protective cone is scheduled to be removed tomorrow night. Platforms are being installed in the aft compartment for access to that area. The crew hatch is open for post flight inspections and turnaround activities. Members of the tile assessment team met at KSC yesterday and took a look at Atlantis' tiles. The team was formed to determine the causes for the tile damage on the right side and recommend any corrective action to prevent damage. Their findings are due the beginning of January. STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OMRF Orbiter return-to-flight modifications and thermal protection system operations are continuing. Columbia has about 1,462 tile cavities. STS-29 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK - VAB Activities are underway to mate the external tank to the solid rocket boosters later today. Technicians are finishing the closeouts on the right forward booster this morning. Discovery is scheduled to be mated to the stack next month.