yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/29/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Wed. Sept. 28, 1988 AFTERNOON STATUS STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B Countdown activities are proceeding on schedule toward tomorrow's launch. The countdown clock has been holding at the T- 11 hour mark since midnight last night. This planned hold is 19 hours and 39 minutes in duration. Technicians began moving the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) at 3:10 p.m. and was in the launch position by 3:49 p.m. This activity was originally planned for 7:39 p.m. tonight, but was moved up in the timeline to get this important job completed in advance. With the RSS in the launch configuration, workers will have a head start when the countdown comes out of the hold. Once the countdown resumes at 7:39 p.m. (EDT), time critical flight crew equipment will be installed in Discovery's crew module including the new crew escape pole. In addition, two of the middeck payloads will be installed this evening: the protein crystal growth experiment and blood samples for the aggregation of red blood cells experiment. All other middeck payloads are already aboard the shuttle. At the T-9 hour mark, or at 9:39 p.m., Discovery's fuel cells will be activated and the communications at Mission-Control Houston will be configured for launch. The launch pad and blast danger area will be cleared for launch starting at the T-8 hour mark. The countdown will proceed down to the T-6 hour mark and hold for one-hour. During that hold, shuttle managers will meet to assess the weather in preparation for filling the external tank with its flight load of super cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. The loading operation will begin when the countdown clock resumes at 1:39 a.m. tomorrow. It takes about three hours to fill the tank with the half a million gallons of propellant required for launch and ascent. Another built-in hold is planned for the T-3 hour mark. This hold will be for two-hours during which the flight crew will be awakened, and the closeout crew enters the launch pad to prepare Discovery's cockpit for the flight crew. The ice inspection team will also go to the pad during this hold. One of the main things the team is looking for is the build up of ice in certain areas that could break away at liftoff and damage the tiles. Another function the team will perform is taking temperatures at various points on the shuttle vehicle and pad facilities using one hand-held and two fixed scanners. The STS-26 flight crew will be awakened about 5:04 a.m., have breakfast at about 5:34 a.m. and have a weather briefing at 6:04 a.m. Shortly afterwards, they will begin suiting up in the partial pressure suits. The crew will depart the Operations and Checkout Building, located in KSC's industrial area, in the astrovan at about 6:44 a.m. At about 7:09 a.m., the crew will arrive at the "white room" at Launch Pad 39-B to prepare entering the cockpit. The hatch is scheduled to be closed at about 8:34 a.m. and the closeout crew will leave the launch pad area. Two remaining holds of ten minutes each are planned at the T-20 and the T-9 minute marks. At the T-9 minute mark, all elements of the launch team, including the Mission Management team, and the launch director will give their final "go" for launch. Launch remains scheduled for 9:59 a.m. (EDT) tomorrow. There is a two and a half hour window which extends to 12:29 p.m. (EDT). There are no weather constraints predicted for tomorrow's launch at this time.