yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/14/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Tues. Sept. 13, 1988
STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Today workers are scheduled to install the gasous oxygen
(GOX) flow control valve poppets. The poppets were removed to try
to determine why two of the three valves operated slowly during
the Flight Readiness Firing (FRF). Some debris was found and the
poppets were shipped to the vendor in California last week for
detailed analysis and cleaning. Only one of Discovery's poppets
and two of Atlantis's poppets will be installed in Discovery
today.
Aft closeouts are underway following a successful job on
ordnance installation part I last Friday. Engine heat shields
have been installed. Flight batteries for the Inertial Upper
Stage are being installed today.
In addition, main propulsion system engineers are trying to
identify a hydrogen leak that was detected during a pressure
decay check last week. The location and degree of the leak is
currently being determined. This leak must be resolved prior to
conducting the helium signature leak check of the main engines.
The helium signature test is currently planned for Thursday.
Next week, the orbiter's power reactant storage and
distribution system will be purged, ordnance installation part II
is scheduled and the pad facililties will be prepared for going
into the launch countdown.
The STS-26 launch vehicle is being prepared for the first
post-Challenger launch, scheduled for later this month. NASA's
Shuttle managers are meeting at KSC today and tomorrow for the
Flight Readiness Review. The purpose of the review is to assess
the Shuttle program's readiness for launch and to determine an
official launch date.
Yesterday KSC managers met for the Launch Readiness Review
and determined that KSC is ready to support the launch. These are
standard management reviews held prior to a shuttle launch.
STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2
Installation of the GOX manifold is scheduled this week. The
manifold was shipped to the vendor in California last week for an
examination of the welds and also was cleaned. Installation of
the third main engine is currently targeted for no earlier than
Friday. Operations continuing this week include leak checks of
the main propulsion system and activities to install and checkout
the flight tires.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
The radiators have been installed and installation of the
orbiter's water lines is scheduled this week. Structural
inspections of the orbiter's airframe are continuing along with
thermal protection system operations.
STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The right forward assembly was connected to the stack over
the weekend and measurements were taken on the alignment of the
boosters. The external tank is scheduled to be mated to the
boosters next week. Closeouts of the booster field joints are
continuing this week.