yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (11/01/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - MONDAY, OCT. 31, 1988
STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - VAB BAY 3
Last Friday, during closeouts of the Shuttle Atlantis in
preparation for rollout, an inspector found a three-inch piece of
wire between a washer and the structure of the orbiter. This
washer is at the left hand aft external tank to orbiter
structural attach point. The wire should not be in this area and
at this time we are evaluating how it got in that particular
spot.
Because this is one of the critical linkages between the
orbiter and tank, and is also part of the separation system,
shuttle managers decided on Saturday to remove the piece of wire.
This weekend, workers prepared the sling for re-attachment to the
orbiter. The sling will transfer the load of the orbiter to the
overhead crane while technicians loosen the nut, remove the
washer and wire. The connecting bolt, the washer and frangible
nut will be replaced and the nut will be tightened prior to
rollout. New connecting parts are being used because, after hard
mate, they are under such an intense load and require x-rays
prior to reuse.
Technicians completed the Shuttle Interface Test over the
weekend and powered the orbiter down yesterday morning. The
platforms were retracted yesterday in preparation for attaching
the sling to the orbiter.
Today, technicians will calibrate the sling and prepare to
loosen the bolt and remove the wire.
Atlantis is scheduled to be rolled out to Pad 39-B no
earlier than Wednesday, Nov. 2.
STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
Technicians removed the two main engines from Discovery and
transferred them to the engine shop in the VAB. One of the
engines will be shipped back to Rocketdyne in California for
repair to the main combustion chamber. The other two will undergo
post-flight inspections and several components will be replaced.
Another engine is being prepared at the Stennis Space Center in
Mississippi for use on Discovery's next flight.
Workers also removed the right hand orbital maneuvering
system pod yesterday and took it to the Hypgolic Maintenance
Facility in the Industrial Area. At the HMF, an internal leak
will be repaired prior to sending the pod back for
reinstallation.
This week, technicians are scheduled to conduct tests of the
orbiter's systems to fulfill requirements prior to reflight.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OMRF
Orbiter power down return-to-flight modifications are
underway including crew escape, elevon cove seal improvements,
fuel cell improvements and thermal protection system operations.
STS-29 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF
The left aft center segment is in the VAB transfer aisle and
is scheduled to be mated to the left aft booster this week. The
left hand booster will be stacked first.
Meanwhile technicians are preparing other segments in the
Rotation Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Buildup of the
right aft booster and inspections of left hand segments are
ongoing activities.