yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (09/08/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Wed. Sept. 7, 1988
STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) began at 6
a.m. this morning. The countdown clock picked up at the T-19 hour
mark. This test, a dress rehearsal for the flight crew and the
KSC launch team, will simulate events that occur during an acutal
launch countdown. A simulated T-0 is planned for 10 a.m.
Thursday.
The five-member STS-26 flight crew arrived at KSC around 2
p.m. yesterday and practiced approach and landings from the
shuttle runway in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. Today, the
astronauts will receive the standard briefings on the status of
the STS-26 vehicle elements and any developments since the
orbiter was moved to the launch pad. They will also receive the
bulk of their emergency egress training at Launch Pad 39-B today.
For tomorrow's test, the crew will be awakened at
approximately 5:40 a.m., eat breakfast and don their new partial
pressure suits. At about 7:10 a.m., the crew will depart the
Operations and Checkout Building enroute for the pad. They will
board the Shuttle Discovery and establish communications with the
test conductor in Firing Room 1.
After the test, the crew will receive additional emergency
egress training wearing their new suits. Later in the day, the
crew will board their T-38s and leave for Houston for final
mission preparations.
At the pad, workers are scheduled to perform a borescope
inspection of the orbiter's gaseous oxygen (GOX) system. Results
from this examination will be analyzed along with the data the
vendor has collected on the GOX flow control valve poppets.
Debris found on the poppets over the weekend is being analyzed
and tests are being conducted to determine its source. The
poppets will be cleaned and reassembled prior to their shipment
to KSC. These parts, internal to the system, are currently
scheduled to arrive in time to support a shuttle launch the last
week of September.
The end-to-end test between the orbiter, payload, and ground
stations was conducted yesterday along with verification check of
sensors on the OASIS payload.
STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2
Interface verification testing of the newly installed
orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods is continuing today. The
third, and last, main engine is scheduled to be installed this
weekend. Checkout of the main propulsion system is continuing and
heat shields are being installed around the two engines on the
ship. Thermal protection system operations are continuing.
Technicians are scheduled to install the flight tires this week.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
Operations to install the radiators are scheduled today.
Return-to-flight inspections and modifications are continuing.
STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The left forward assembly is scheduled to be connected to
the left booster today. Later this week, the right forward
assembly will be stacked on the right booster. Joint closeouts
are active on the field joints.
Meanwhile, the left aft center segment for the STS-29
mission arrived at the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility
over the weekend and is undergoing the initial receiving
inspections.