[sci.space.shuttle] Shuttle Status for 7/12/88

yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/13/88)

          KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Tuesday, July 12, 1988

                        STS-26  -  DISCOVERY (OV 103)  -  VAB

               Loading of the oxidizer, nitrogen tetroxide, into
          Discovery's Orbital Manuevering System pods and reaction control
          system was completed yesterday.  Today workers are scheduled to
          load the fuel, monomethyl hydrazine, into Discovery's tanks. Two
          of the three auxiliary power units have been serviced with
          hydrazine and the third will be serviced today.  The job is
          estimated to be completed by this evening.

               Later this week, workers will be performing a fit check of
          the crew escape pole in Discovery's crew module. Also
          preparations for the Flight Readiness Firing will commence when
          the pad reopens for normal work. The 20-second test firing of
          Discovery's main engines is scheduled for Monday, July 25 at 7:30
          a.m. The FRF will be preceded by the "wet" tanking test scheduled
          for July 22 at 7 a.m. For both tests the external tank will be
          filled with its flight load of a half a million gallons of liquid
          hydrogen and liquid oxygen. After each test the external tank
          will be drained.

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

               The last two helium tanks for the main propulsion system
          were installed yesterday. A systems test of the power reactant
          storage and distribution system is going well this week.
          Installation of the chin panel for flight is scheduled for today.
          A leak and functional test of the auxiliary power units is
          planned for this weekend. Thermal protection system operations
          are ongoing along with orbiter modifications.

                        STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OMRF

               Access platforms have been positioned around the shuttle and
          orbiter modifications scheduled today include crew escape,
          thermal protection system operations and RTV heat sink.

                        STS-26 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  RPSF

               The right aft booster was mated to its aft skirt yesterday
          and an inspection of the case is underway today.  Also in the
          RPSF, "build up" operations are continuing on the left aft
          booster. The external tank attach ring has been installed and
          foaming is scheduled today. Mobile Launcher Platform 1 will be
          moved into VAB high bay 3 in preparation for the stacking
          operation scheduled to begin the end of this month.