[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 08/08/88

yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (08/08/88)

          KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Monday, August 8, 1988

                     STS-26  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  PAD 39-B

               Work on changing the hydrogen fuel bleed valve in
          Discovery's number 2 main engine went better than expected over
          the weekend. After a telecon this morning, shuttle managers
          decided the hardware will be ready to support picking up the
          countdown for the Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) Tuesday night at
          the T-11 hour mark at 6:10 p.m. and the T-0 is scheduled for 7:30
          a.m. Wednesday, August 10.

               The hydrogen fuel bleed valve on Discovery's number 2 main
          engine was removed Saturday afternoon and the new valve was in
          place by midnight Saturday. A leak check was conducted and
          verified the valve was good. Yesterday Rocketdyne technicians
          reconnected lines that had to be removed to get access to the
          bleed valve.

               Today workers are closing out and inspecting the aft
          compartment and later today the engine service platforms will be
          removed. By tomorrow morning the blast doors will be installed on
          Discovery's aft compartment in preparation for the FRF.

                     STS-27  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 2

               The second of three main engines arrived at KSC Friday
          night. The number 1 and 2 main engines are scheduled to be
          installed this weekend. The fuel cell that failed during recent
          testing was removed and replaced over the weekend. Orbiter
          modifications, vehicle systems testing and thermal protection
          system operations are continuing this week.

                     STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OPF BAY 2

               The power reactant storage and distribution system tanks are
          scheduled to be removed this week so improvements can be made.
          Activities scheduled this week include structural inspections,
          thermal protection system operations, and orbiter return-to-
          flight modifications.

                      STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  RPSF/VAB

               The left aft center segment was mated to the aft booster
          over the weekend. The left forward center segment is being
          prepared for mating in the VAB transfer aisle. Meanwhile booster
          "build up" activities are continuing on the right aft booster in
          the RPSF.