sjb (08/13/82)
The space shuttle Columbia is well on its way to its scheduled 11 November launch, a NASA spokesman said today. Work being done on it, including removing the RMS (it won't be used this flight), installing two more seat, fixing up some 400 tiles, fixing the toilet, etc. is scheduled to be completed on 10 September, at which time it will be rolled to the VAB for attachment to its external tank and SRB's. The preparations for Challenger's first flight are not going so smoothly. For one thing, there have been delays in getting the main engines and other parts from their manufacturers. Officials are hopeful that they will have it ready for launch in January, but they are not sure.