yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/22/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Wed. Sept. 21, 1988
STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Launch preparations are continuing today to prepare the STS-
26 shuttle vehicle for the first post-Challenger launch.
Overnight, the faulty actuator for the fuel pre-burner
oxidizer valve was removed from engine 3 and shipped to
Rocketdyne in California for analysis. The replacement actuator
is on site and will be installed today. Retest of the new unit
is planned tonight and tomorrow. The faulty actuator was
discovered yesterday during the frequency response test of the
main engine valves.
Payload operations are underway today including a simulated
countdown of the Inertial Upper Stage which will test the newly
installed the redundant inertial measurement unit.
Activities planned today include closing out the orbiter's
aft compartment for flight, installing engine heat shields, and
washing down the surface of the mobile launcher platform.
Tomorrow workers are scheduled to wash down the pad surface and
the flame trench.
Today, launch countdown preparations are scheduled to begin
leading to the start of the count planned for 12:01 a.m. Monday,
Sept. 26. The countdown will begin at the T-43 hour mark counting
down to the planned T-zero at 9:59 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.
The STS-26 flight crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC Monday
afternoon in preparation for launch.
STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2
A frequency response test of the main engine valves is
scheduled to start today and will be followed by a test of the
orbiter's aerosurfaces. Other operations scheduled include,
testing the main propulsion system, checking out instrumentation
on the flight tires and thermal protection system operations.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
One loop on the water and freon cooling systems have been
serviced in preparation for power up on Friday. Electronic
components are being installed on the orbiter as return-to-flight
operations continue.
STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK - VAB
The external tank was "soft mated" to the solid rocket
boosters at 5:20 a.m. today. The connecting bolts will be torqued
down today for the hard mate. Electrical connections between the
tank and boosters will be in work the remainder of the week.
STS-29 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - RPSF
Technicians installed the stiffener bands around the left
aft booster as "build up" operations continue for the STS-29
solid rocket boosters.