yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/15/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Wed. Sept. 14, 1988 STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B Yesterday technicians installed the three gaseous oxygen (GOX) flow control valve poppets. Retest of the GOX system is going well. Engineers are continuing to troubleshoot a very small leak in the liquid hydrogen system. It has not been found yet and workers are trying to isolate it today. Preparations are underway for the helium signature leak test of the main propulsion system and three main engines. The test is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning. Thermal protection system repairs and orbiter aft closeouts are underway. Meanwhile, Shuttle program managers are continuing the Flight Readiness Review today to assess the program's readiness for the STS-26 launch scheduled for later this month. STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2 Technicians are installing heat shields and making preparations to install the third main engine on Friday. Interface verification testing of the connections between the orbital maneuvering system pods and the orbiter are scheduled today. A functional test of the waste containment system is continuing today. Operations to install the gaseous oxygen manifold and checks of the main propulsion system are underway this week. Next month, Atlantis is scheduled to be moved to the VAB for mating with the boosters and external tank and then rolled out to Launch Pad 39-B for launch in November. STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1 Columbia is scheduled for power up testing the end of next week. Preparations are underway to support powering up the orbiter after a modification period. As Columbia's systems are installed, they will be retested and verified. Orbiter return-to- flight inspections and system improvements are continuing. STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB Joint closeouts are active on all the remaining field joints of the STS-27 solid rocket motors. The external tank is scheduled to be mated to the boosters next week.