[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 10/25/88

yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/25/88)

            KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - TUESDAY, OCT. 25, 1988

                     STS-27  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 2

               The orbiter Atlantis was softmated to the external tank and
          solid rocket boosters about 2 p.m. yesterday and was hardmated by
          7:15 p.m. Today, workers are completing the connections between
          the orbiter and the tail service masts on the mobile launcher
          platform.

               Also today, Rocketdyne engineers will take measurements of
          the oxidizer preburner injector faceplate on main engine number
          three. The inspections will determine the flatness of the
          faceplate.

               Tomorrow, the vehicle will be powered up for the Shuttle
          Interface Test which verifies critical connections between the
          vehicle elements and the launch platform.

               Atlantis remains scheduled for rollout to Launch Pad 39-B no
          earlier than 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

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

               Yesterday, workers garbed in protective SCAPE suits
          offloaded nitrogen tetroxide from the manifolds in the right hand
          orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pod and the OMS crossfeed lines.
          They also drained the hydrazine fluid in the auxiliary power
          units.

               The OPF remains closed today while workers offload
          monomethylhydrazine from the same areas as the oxidizer. Later
          this week, technicians are scheduled to remove the two main
          engines. One of the engines was removed last week and taken to
          the VAB main engine work shop for post flight inspections and for
          replacement of several components.

                        STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OMRF

               Orbiter powered-down return-to-flight modifications are
          underway including crew escape, chin panel, elevon cove seal and
          vehicle inspections.

                      STS-29 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  VAB/RPSF

               Instrumentation on the left aft booster will be calibrated
          today in the VAB. Meanwhile, in the RPSF, technicians continue
          preparing the left aft center segment for transfer to the VAB
          late this week. The left booster will be stacked first and will
          be followed by the right booster.