yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (08/29/88)
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Mon. Aug. 29. 1988
STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - PAD 39-B
Today, workers are busy at the pad installing the Tracking
and Data Relay Satellite and its Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) into
Discovery's payload bay. Installation is scheduled to be
completed by late tonight. Tomorrow, mechanical and electrical
connections will be made and an interface verification test of
the connections is planned for Friday.
Over the weekend workers completed the servicing operations
for the orbiter's auxiliary power units and installed ordnance
devices on the IUS. In addition, one of the orbiter's aft
electronics box called FA-2 was removed and replaced, and retest
is underway. The unit is used to translate information from
orbiter vehicle systems to the general purpose computers.
Also over the weekend, helium was purged through the main
propulsion system helium storage bottles. A helium leak within
the system was detected during the FRF and the source was
identified to be a valve. This was a known condition going into
the test, and the helium purge confirmed the known valve which
was performing within specifications during checkout in the
Orbiter Processing Facility. The test indicates the valve
performed the same during FRF as it did during OPF checkout.
The Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test is planned for
Sept. 8. The STS-26 flight crew will arrive at KSC a few days
before the test for briefings and emergency escape training from
the launch pad.
STS-27 - ATLANTIS (0V 104) - OPF BAY 2
Both orbital manuevering system pods are scheduled to be
installed on Atlantis this week along with installation of the
third main engine which goes in the number two slot. Systems
checkout and thermal protection system operations are continuing
as planned. As of this morning there are about 195 tile cavities.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
Orbiter structural inspections and return-to-flight
modifications are continuing. The tile system is being upgraded
and the elevon cove seal improvements are scheduled to begin.
STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB/RPSF
The right forward center segment was mated last night and
inspections of the clevis are underway. The right forward segment
is scheduled to be moved from the RPSF to the VAB transfer aisle
tonight. Closeouts of the left SRM field joints are underway.