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.