yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (08/03/88)
STS-26 Status Report August 3, 1988 On Pad B engineers continue the turnaround operation leading toward the Flight Readiness Firing. Components of the tail service mast of the mobile launcher platform were disassembled overnight but engineers and tech- nicians were unable to isolate the hydrogen leak on the T-Zero umbilical which was detected during the wet countdown demonstra- tion over the past weekend. Seals and flex hoses were replaced, attach points were checked, and fittings were torqued down. The reassembly in the tail service mast area is underway and a final set of leak checks using a helium mass spectrometer will be per- formed. As of early this morning, the recovery operation was four hours behind the timeline established in the procedure. Preparations for the Flight Readiness Firing are underway. The call to stations for the launch team is 4:25 p.m. However, work to recover time in the scrub turnaround operations could continue as much as an hour beyond this point. The retraction of the rotating service structure is planned to begin upon call to stations (See schedule below). However, consideration is being given to moving this operation forward by a couple of hours. Prior to hydrogen propellant loading, the flow of the inert purge in the area of the tail service mast where the leak was detected may be increased to diminish safety concerns. The present schedule is as follows: T-11 hours: Call to stations at 4:25 p.m. T-6 hours: Begin propellant loading operations at 9:25 p.m T- 1 hour 10 minutes: Enter built in hold at 2:15 a.m. Thursday Hold duration 3 hours and 45 minutes T-1 hour 10 minutes: Resume countdown at 6:00 a.m. T-0: FRF orbiter main engine ignition at 7:30 a.m.
cjl@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Charles Lord) (08/04/88)
I would appreciate it if someone in the know posts tonight when/if the countdown does start at the T-11 hour mark. Some of the news media doesn't seem to care a flip about this event. -- Charles Lord ..!decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!cjl Usenet Cary, NC cjl@ecsvax.uncecs.edu Bitnet #include <std.disclamers> #include <cutsey.quote>