[sci.space.shuttle] Space Shuttle status for 7/5/88

yee@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (07/06/88)

           KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING REPORT FOR - Tuesday, July 5, 1988

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

               Discovery was reported harddown on Launch Pad 39-B at 8:42
          a.m. and the Rotating Service Structure was moved into position
          around the shuttle by 12:50 p.m. At the pad today workers are
          finishing connecting ground support equipment to the shuttle
          elements and are beginning the launch pad validation checks of
          the connections between the pad and the vehicle.

               Also scheduled today are preparations for the purge test of
          the cavity between the external tank to orbiter 17-inch feedline.
                     STS-27  -  ATLANTIS (0V 104)  -  OPF BAY 2

               Workers last week installed the galley and this week plan to
          install the potty for flight. A walkdown of the crew module is
          scheduled to verify the configuration of all the elements in
          relation to the modifications implemented for the crew escape
          system. Also this week, the chin panel is scheduled to be
          installed for flight. Servicing the ammonia system is planned for
          this weekend. Modifications are continuing this week as scheduled
          along with thermal protection system operations.

                        STS-28  -  COLUMBIA (OV 102)  -  OMRF

               Preparations for transferring Columbia to OPF bay 1 are
          underway. Columbia's move was postponed for today because of rain
          and high winds. Weather permitting the move could occur tomorrow
          morning at 10 a.m. however, conditions are not favorable. Once in
          the bay, preparations to open the payload bay doors will begin to
          allow access for modifications. Columbia's systems are being
          modified like its sister ships and the initial power up for
          systems checkout is planned for August.

                        STS-27 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS  -  RPSF

               The left aft skirt arrived at the RPSF Saturday and is now
          in the build up stand where initial inspections are underway. The
          skirt and left aft booster are scheduled to be mated late tonight
          or early tomorrow and aft booster "build up" operations will
          commence. Build up operations, scheduled for about the next 22
          days, consists of installing various parts including the external
          tank attach ring, stiffener rings, flight instrumentation and
          protective coverings, the struts, nozzle extension and thermal
          curtains.

               All but three STS-27 segments are at KSC. The remainder are
          enroute and due to arrive by the end of the week.


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