yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (10/11/88)
MSFC STATUS REPORT October 9, 1988 FIRST STS-26 SRM SEGMENTS DEMATED The first STS-26 solid rocket motor segments were demated Sunday in Florida and NASA officials said they looked "exceptionally good." The first segment disassembled and inspected was the aft of the left hand motor. Officials reported that there was absolutely no evidence of gas pressure to any of the O-rings, including the new capture feature O-ring. That means that the bonded J-seal insulation, although not an actual seal, in fact did seal the joint. Both of the other field joints on the left motor were also demated Sunday and initial visual inspection of those also show no sign of any gas reaching O-rings. The STS-26 motor disassembly process is ahead of schedule and officials believe all three field joints of the right motor will be demated tomorrow. Ed Medal MSFC Public Affairs