khayo@sonia.math.ucla.edu (Eric Behr) (05/26/88)
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TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1988
STS-26 - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 1
Preparations to transfer Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly
Building in the next few weeks are underway. The payload bay
doors were closed last night in preparation for the frequency
response test (FRT). The FRT is scheduled to begin today and
will verify the movements of the aerosurfaces and gimbaling of
the main engines with the commands that are sent.
While the payload bay doors are shut, technicians will per-
form inspections of the hinges. When the doors are opened later
this week, the payload bay door functional test is planned to
verify the doors for flight. Also final closeouts, cleaning and
inspections of the bay are scheduled.
Thermal protection system operations continuing include nose
landing gear door thermal barrier fit checks, installation of
tile in the less than 20 cavities, and contour measurements of
the nose area.
STS-27 - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
Orbiter modifications scheduled today include: installing
instrumentation for the RTV heat sink modification, chin panel
measurements and fit checks, modifications to implement the crew
escape system and adding protection for wiring in the aft
compartment.
STS-28 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OMRF
Powered down modifications planned this week include: in-
stalling heat absorbing strips on the inside of Columbia's belly
for the RTV heat sink modification, removing water lines around
the crew hatch in preparation for the crew escape system and
structural inspections.
STS-26 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER - VAB
Last night the right forward segment, the last solid rocket
motor segment, was hoisted up and over to the high bay in
preparation for the last field joint mate. The mate is planned
for Thursday. Between now and then, technicians will conduct
inspections, take measurements, apply grease to the metal parts,
install o-rings and install the field joint assembly fixture.
Meanwhile, closeouts of field joints on both boosters are
underway.
The two forward assemblies/nose cones are scheduled to be
attached to the solid rockets this wekend. Afterwards tech-
nicians will perform an alignment of the two boosters in prepara-
tion for mating with the external tank.
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Eric