yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/17/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT - MONDAY, OCT. 17, 1988 STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2 Preparations are underway to transfer the orbiter Atlantis from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building. Technicians are finishing up work on the orbiter's thermal protection system. This morning only four cavities were reported. Structural leak checks of the vehicle were started over the weekend and are scheduled to be completed this week. Last night, technicians removed the left outboard elevon actuator and tonight are scheduled to install a new unit. The new unit will be retested. After evaluating data from the actuator following the frequency response test of the aerosurfaces, engineers decided to pull this actuator. The data indicated there were several spikes in the actuator pressure which were not fully understood. The actuator will be shipped to the vendor for analysis. An assessment of the rollover date of Oct. 21 is underway. The installation and retest of the new elevon actuator is being factored into Atlantis's OPF schedule. STS-29 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1 Discovery's payload bay doors were closed over the weekend while the frequency response test of the aerosurfaces was conducted. Today, the doors will be reopened for preparations to remove the OASIS payload. Technicians are scheduled to remove the heat shields from the orbiter's aft end. Once the shields are off, the three main engines can be removed and taken to the engine service shop in the VAB where several components will be replaced. STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OMRF Technicians are scheduled to install the power drive unit for the body flap today. Orbiter power down modifications are underway while Columbia is in the Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility. STS-26 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - HANGAR AF The forward and aft segments have been shipped to Morton Thiokol in Utah. Workers are loading the aft center segments on flatbed trailers today. The segments will be taken to the rail car area and loaded on the cars for shipment to Utah. The right center segment is at Hangar AF and the left center segment is at the rail car area.